今天,原油价格创六周最低。主要是美国一些令人失望的经济数据(高失业率和低开工率)以及近27年来最大的一次清仓的影响。
Crude oil futures prices settled at a six-week low Thursday, stung by a rash of disappointing U.S. economic data and the highest inventories in nearly 27 years.
U.S. initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 12,000 in the week ended Aug. 14, the Labor Department said. Economists had forecast a drop of 4,000. Claims totaled 500,000 in the week, the highest number since Nov. 14, 2009.
Another key indicator showed manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic region fell unexpectedly and sharply in August. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported Thursday that its index of general business activity moved to a reading of -7.7 from 5.1 in July and 8.0 in June. A negative reading shows a contraction in activity; economists had a expected a reading of 7 on the index. Meanwhile, the index of leading U.S. economic indicators rose by 0.1% in July, the Conference Board reported, shy of expectations for a 0.2% increase.