
Oil fell about 1% on Wednesday after the EIA reported that U.S. crude stocks rose 1.6 million barrels, against expectations of a drop, and gasoline inventories surged 5.1 million barrels. U.S. crude production hit a record 12.9 million bpd.
Hopes for a US-China trade deal limited the losses.
Surprise inventory builds signal ample supply and weaken near-term price support. Market direction was still tied to trade-deal expectations, which keeps the price outlook sensitive to headlines.
After 171 past bearish report events, Crude Oil (WTI) moved a median -1.5% over 5 sessions (37% higher; middle half -4.8% to +1.9%), and -0.9% over 20.
After 129 past bearish report events, Crude Oil (Brent) moved a median -1.3% over 5 sessions (45% higher; middle half -3.9% to +2.5%), and +0.4% over 20.
After 224 past report events, ULSD / Diesel moved a median -0.3% over 5 sessions (45% higher; middle half -3.9% to +2.5%), and +0.3% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.