U.S. crude oil futures on Wednesday bounced back from a six-month low as crude stockpiles fell and tensions remained high in the Middle East.
Crude oil stocks in the U.S. fell by 3.7 million barrels last week, while gasoline inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday even as the stock market’s comeback rally faltered.
Here are Wednesday’s closing energy prices:
- West Texas Intermediate September contract: $75.23 per barrel, up $2.03, or 2.77%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has gained about 5%.
- Brent October contract: $78.33 per barrel, up $1.85, or 2.42%. Year to date, the global benchmark is ahead about 1.67%.
- RBOB Gasoline September contract: $2.35 per gallon, up nearly 3 cents, or 1.34%. Year to date, gasoline is up 12%.
- Natural Gas September contract: $2.11 per thousand cubic feet, up 10 cents, or 5.07%. Year to date, gas is down about 16%.
Recession fears had put downward …