U.S. crude oil stocks down by 63,000 barrels: API

By Nick Godt NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. inventories of crude oil fell by 63,000 barrels in the week ended Feb. 12, the American Petroleum Institute reported on Wednesday. Analysts polled by Platts expected a 1.65-million-barrel build in crude supplies for the week. The API also reported distillate stocks rose by 1.283 million barrels, while inventories of gasoline rose by 1.428 million barrels. Analysts polled by Platts expected an increase of 1.5 million barrels in gasoline stocks and a decline of 1.6 million barrels in distillate supplies. Crude oil for March delivery fell 9 cents, or 0.1%, at $77.24 a barrel in electronic trade.