U.S. crude inventories fall more than expected to 410.6 million barrels

U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels in the week ending October 23, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The drop followed a decline of 3.2 million barrels the week before, while analysts had expected a decrease of just 300,000 barrels.

Crude stocks now total 410.6 million barrels, about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Diesel and heating oil inventories also fell, by 1.5 million barrels, leaving them about 10% below their five-year average.

Gasoline stocks moved in the opposite direction, rising by 3.9 million barrels, though they remained about 2% below their five-year average.

These figures show that U.S. supplies of crude and some fuels are below typical levels, while gasoline supplies are closer to average; the figures provided do not say what happens next.