Oil Edges Higher as U.S. Crude Stock Decline Outpaces Seasonal Demand

U.S. crude inventories fell 2.3 million barrels to 423.8 million for the week ending Jan. 24 per the EIA, about 3% below the five-year average, with API reporting a smaller draw a day earlier. Prices rose with Brent near $68.11/bbl and WTI around $63 as winter disruptions and geopolitical risk premiums supported markets. Gasoline stocks increased slightly, distillates rose modestly, and total products supplied (a demand proxy) climbed to 20.3 million b/d over four weeks, though year-over-year demand remained essentially flat-to-down.