By Anthony Harrup
Analysts expect a sixth consecutive weekly build in U.S. crude oil inventories, while gasoline stocks are seen extending their decline, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stocks are expected to have risen by 800,000 barrels to 457 million barrels in the week ended March 27, according to the average estimate of nine analysts and traders. Five predict an increase and four expect a drop. Estimates range from a build of 4.1 million barrels to a draw of 2.2 million barrels.
Gasoline inventories are forecast to have fallen by 1.5 million barrels to 239.9 million barrels, with estimates ranging from a 2 million barrel increase to a decline of 4.4 million barrels.
Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are seen down by 300,000 barrels at 119.6 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from a drop of 3 million barrels to a rise of 2.9 million barrels.
Refinery capacity use likely rose by half of a percentage point to 93.4%. Forecasts range from a 1 percentage point rise to a 0.4 percentage point decline. Two analysts didn't forecast refinery runs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Again Capital 2.8 -1.9 -2.6 0.4
Confluence Investment Management 2.0 -1.5 -1.5 1.0
Rystad Energy -1.3 -4.4 -1.1 -0.4
Excel Futures 4.1 -2.8 2.9 0.7
Spartan Capital Securities 3.4 0.9 1.7 n/f
Mizuho -2.0 -1.0 1.0 0.5
Price Futures Group 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0
Ritterbusch and Associates -1.3 -2.5 -3.0 0.5
Tradition Energy -2.2 -2.1 -2.4 n/f
AVERAGE 0.8 -1.5 -0.3 0.5
Note: Numbers in millions of barrels, with the exception of refinery use, which is in percentage points.
n/f = no forecast
unch = unchanged
Write to Anthony Harrup at anthony.harrup@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-31-26 1321ET
