Crude-oil supplies up 5.2 million barrels

SAN FRANCISCO, MarketWatch (23/10) -- Oil futures lost more ground on Wednesday following weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing a climb in crude supplies that was more than expected. The EIA reported that crude stockpiles rose 5.2 million barrels for the week ended Oct. 18.Analysts polled by Platts were looking for a rise of 3 million barrels. Gasoline supplies fell by 1.8 million barrels, while distillate stockpiles rose by 1.5 million barrels, the EIA said.Gasoline stockpiles were expected to fall by 400,000 barrels, while forecasts called for a decline of 1.6 million barrels for distillates. Following the latest data, December crude traded at $96.31 a barrel, down $1.99, or 2%, on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was trading around $96.54 shortly before the report.