Crude oil futures slip 0.42 pc on profit-booking

Crude oil futures fell 0.42 per cent to Rs 4,015 per barrel today as speculators reduced positions to book profits at prevailing levels, ignoring a firm trend overseas.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in far-month April was trading Rs 17, or 0.42 per cent, lower at Rs 4,015 per barrel in 162 lots.
Oil for March delivery also moved down by Rs 16, or 0.40 per cent, to Rs 4,021 per barrel in 7,070 lots.
Traders said the fall in crude oil prices in futures trade was mostly attributed to profit-booking at current levels by speculators. However, a firm trend overseas, limited the losses.

Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 69 cents, or 1.12 per cent, to USD 62.37, while Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 21 cents, or 0.32 per cent, to USD 65.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.