Oil falls after surprise rise in US crude inventories

TOKYO: Oil prices fell on Wednesday after an industry group reported a rise in U.S. crude inventories against expectations for a decline, adding to worries about demand that led to a steep selloff earlier in the week.

Brent crude was trading down 21 cents, or 0.5%, at $41.51 a barrel by 0055 GMT, after gaining 28 cents on Tuesday, while U.S. crude slipped 23 cents, or 0.6, to $39.57.

Both contracts fell more than 4% on Monday, the most in two weeks.