West Texas
Intermediate crude dropped for a second day, extending the biggest loss in more
than a month, as
Futures
fell as much as 1.2 percent after decreasing 1.7 percent yesterday as the
Energy Information Administration reported
Crude
inventories decreased 2.8 million barrels last week, data yesterday from the
EIA, the Energy Department’s statistical arm, show. Stockpiles decreased 29.9
million barrels in the four weeks ended July 19, the largest four-week drop in
data dating to 1982.
Bookings
for U.S. goods meant to last at least three years increased 4.2 percent, led by
transportation equipment, after a revised 5.2 percent gain in May that was
bigger than initially reported, the Commerce Department said today in
Washington.
WTI crude
for September delivery declined 32 cents to $105.07 a barrel at 11:06 a.m. on
the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $104.08, the lowest level
since July 9. The volume of all futures traded was 14 percent above the 100-day
average for the time of day.
Brent for
September settlement rose 20 cents to $107.39 a barrel on the London-based ICE
Futures Europe exchange. The volume of all futures traded was 11 percent below
the 100-day average. The European benchmark traded at a $2.32 premium to WTI,
up from $1.80 yesterday. Brent dropped below WTI on July 19 for the first time
since August 2010.