US Crude Oil Inventories Rise by 5.5 Million Barrels in Official EIA Report

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) officially reported a 5.5 million barrel increase in crude oil inventories, a figure notably lower than the 10.263 million barrel build previously estimated by the API. In a significant technical shift, WTI crude prices are currently overcoming Brent, carrying implications for inventory levels and FOMC expectations. Analyst Ben Cook describes the current market as "headline-driven," noting that investors are increasingly pricing in a conflict cooldown. Naeem Aslam, Chief Investment Officer at Zaye Capital Markets, added that recent price pressure was largely driven by hopes for de-escalation in Middle East tensions. Market participants are now weighing the official inventory build against refinery utilization rates and broader macroeconomic shifts. Investors remain focused on whether these supply levels will persist as global energy market volatility continues.