U.S. crude stocks fell 0.6 million barrels, short of 1.62 million forecast

U.S. commercial crude stocks excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell 0.6 million barrels to 423.4 million barrels for the week ending Sept. 11, EIA reported Sept. 16. Analysts expected a 1.62 million-barrel drop, Reuters reported. A smaller draw leaves more oil on hand than anticipated, which can ease upward pressure on fuel prices.