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Oil rates down on need concerns as markets wait for U.S unrefined stockpiles data

Oil costs were down on Thursday as the markets wait on the current U.S. crude oil stockpiles information while durable U.S. financial activity pointed to borrowing expenses remaining greater for longer in a potential blow to require.

Brent futures lost 9 cents, or 0.1%, to trade at $ 83.52 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WIT) crude was down 3 cents, or 0.04%, to $79.19 at 0046 GMT.

U.S. petroleum and gas stocks fell recently while distillates rose, according to market sources pointing out American Petroleum Institute figures on Wednesday.

The API figures revealed crude stocks were down by 6.49 million barrels in the week ended May 24, the sources stated, with gas stocks down by 452,000 barrels, and distillates up by 2.045 million barrels.

This comes versus analysts forecast of U.S. energy firms pulling 1.9 million barrels of crude out of storage while stocking 0.4 million barrels of distillates and 1 million barrels of fuel.

The date by U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due later on Thursday.

Any indication of strong need in EIA's weekly inventory report need to support petroleum prices, ANZ Research study stated in a note.

Increasing international oil stocks through April due to soft fuel need might enhance the case for OPEC+ producers, which consist of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC) and allies including Russia, to keep supply cuts in place when they fulfill on June 2, OPEC+ delegates and experts say.

Oil markets have been under pressure just recently over expectation the Federal Reserve will keep rates of interest higher for longer.

U.S. financial activity continued to expand from early April through mid-May but companies grew more pessimistic about the future while inflation increased at a modest pace, a Fed survey revealed.

Higher borrowing costs tend to restrain funds and usage, a negative for unrefined need and rates. The Fed is now seen cutting rates in September at the earliest, compared to a June start to relieving cycle anticipated by markets at the start of the year.

(source: Reuters)