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Crude oil closed at the highest level in nearly a month after a volatile session on Wednesday, propelling energy stocks to the top of the S&P industry chart for the day.
Nymex WTI Crude Oil Last Month (CL1: COM) for October delivery has ended + 1.2% to $94.89/bbl, matching gains in the leading energy sector ETF (NYSEARCA:XLE), and October Brent crude (CO1: COM) settled + 1% to $101.22/bbl, both posting their best payouts since July 29.
ETFs: (XLE), (XOP), (VDE), (OIH), (IEO), (DRIP), (CRAK), (NYSEARCA:USO), (UCO), (SCO), (BNO), (DBO), (USL)
Among the best performing oil and gas stocks of the day: (APA) + 3.9%(CTRA) + 3.1%(OKE) + 2%(COP) + 1.9%(PXD) + 1.9%.
Oil ends higher after reports that US will not consider further concessions with Iran in a draft agreement that would restore the nuclear agreement between the two countries, as well as potential for OPEC+ to limit production.
In another shock to the oil market, the US government reported crude stockpiles in the country down 3.3 million barrels to 421.7 million barrels, bringing them ~6% below the 5-year average, because US exports in record amounts of raw and refined products.
According to the EIA, more than 11 million bbl/d of crude oil and products such as diesel fuel left US ports last week for overseas markets, the most in data since 1991.
Diesel exports rose 20% while crude outflows topped 4 million bpd for the second straight week, the first consecutive weekly gain since the crude oil export ban was lifted in 2015.
Related: Average U.S. Gasoline Price Has fell for 70 consecutive days, longest streak since 2015.
