Crude oil futures down 0.53 pc as participants trim position

NEW DELHI, Dec 16: Crude oil futures prices fell by 0.53 per cent to Rs 6,002 per barrel today as speculators trimmed positions despite a firming trend in Asian trade.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in December fell by Rs 32, or 0.53 per cent, to Rs 6,002 per barrel in 854 lots.
Similarly, oil for delivery in January next year moved down by Rs 30, or 0.49 per cent, to Rs 6,059 per barrel in 80 lots.
Market analysts said trimming of positions by speculators mainly put pressure on crude oil at futures trade but a firming trend in Asian trade as investors focused on the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week for clues about its long-awaited stimulus pullback, capped the losses.
Globally, crude oil for January delivery was up 4 cents at USD 96.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange in mid-morning trade today. (AGENCIES)