Mubasher: US crude oil stockpiles expanded less than expected during the week ended 9 February, data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday.

Inventories grew by 1.8 million barrels to 422.1 million barrels, standing in the lower half of the average range for this time of the year.

These figures come well below economists’ expectations of a 2.8-million-barrel increase last week.

Meanwhile, total motor gasoline inventories rose by 3.6 million barrels, according to EIA’s data.

By 03:45 pm GMT, Brent crude futures went up 0.14% to $62.81 per barrel (pb), while Nymex crude edged down 0.05% to $59.16 pb.