U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures are trading lower shortly after the regular session opening and before the release of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly inventory report at 15:30 GMT. The report is likely to trigger a volatile response. The early selling pressure is being fueled by yesterday’s unexpected inventories build as reported by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Helping to limit losses are hopes of increased demand growth now that the U.S. and China have reached a partial trade deal. At 15:23 GMT, February WTI crude oil is trading $60.39, down $0.48 or -0.80%. Traders ... (full story)