Crude prices

The U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday that U.S. commercial crude oil inventories jumped 6.2 million barrels from the previous week, almost twice what was expected.
U.S. crude stocks have increased by more than 44 million barrels in the past four months, the biggest four-month rise since1990, according to the data.
However, distillate stocks dropped 1 million barrels last week as cold weather hit the U.S. Northeast, the world's top heating oil market, and gasoline supplies declined 100,000 barrels.
Oil prices received a boost from remarks by President Obama that he is confident that an economic stimulus bill will be approved. The House is expected to approve the economic stimulus plan late Wednesday.