SINGAPORE: Oil prices edged up in Asia Thursday after slumping for five-straight sessions to a three-month low after a surprise jump in US stockpiles built on increasing worries about a global supply glut.
US energy department data showed Wednesday that inventories were 13.4 percent higher on-year, while gasoline stocks were up 11.8 percent, indicating demand remains weak as the peak holiday driving season comes to a close.
The news sent Brent tumbling three percent and West Texas Intermediate more than two percent down to sit at levels not seen since April, with both contracts now down about a fifth from their 2016 highs above $50 early last month.
On Thursday bargain-buyers moved in, helped by a weaker dollar after the Federal Reserve indicated any US interest rate increase would be slow and measured.
At about 0630 GMT, US Benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up six cents to $41.98 a barrel while North Sea Brent was up five cents at $43.52.
