Oil prices rose in Asian trade today but faced pressure from US demand fears and speculation over the future of the Federal Reserve’s stimulus programme, analysts said.

New York’s main contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for December delivery gained 41 cents to $93.78 a barrel in mid-morning Asian trade, after sinking $1.25 to close at a five-month low in New York.

Brent North Sea crude for December climbed 45 cents to $105.78.

“Investors will be closely watching the EIA (Energy Information Administration) stockpile numbers out later Wednesday that is likely to show a further supply surge in the US internal market,” David Lennox, resource analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, said.

“Investors have gotten somewhat used to the high stockpile numbers in the US, but we have also seen the WTI come off weaker when there is a drastic increase, such as immediately after the summer driving season.”

Crude inventories

The EIA is expected to report US supplies increased 1.9 million barrels in the week ending November 1, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Inventories in the United States have risen for the past six weeks, to about 28 million barrels, raising concerns about oversupply in the world’s largest economy and top crude consumer.

Lennox added that market was also looking ahead to Thursday’s release of US third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) advanced estimates.

The result will give investors a better idea about the Fed’s plans for its stimulus programme, with strong growth expected to tilt the bank towards an earlier wind down.

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