Crude-oil futures added to gains Wednesday after the government's weekly supply report showed a smaller-than-expected increase for the week ended Feb. 11.
Crude for March delivery rose 66 cents, or 0.8%, to $84.99 U.S. a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Energy Information Administration said crude inventories rose 900,000 barrels. Analysts polled by Platts had expected a rise of 2.8 million barrels.
Gasoline inventories increased by 200,000 barrels, the EIA said; analysts expected an increase of 1.7 million.
Supplies of distillates, which include diesel and heating oil, decreased by 3.1 million barrels, according to the agency. The analysts polled by Platts had expected a decline of 1.1 million barrels.
