Crude oil futures ended lower for a sixth straight session on Thursday, as worries about the outlook for energy demand after data showing a surprise build in gasoline inventories and continued spikes in coronavirus cases hurt the commodity. A stronger dollar amid rising prospects of tighter monetary measures from the Federal Reserve also weighed on crude oil prices. Data released by Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed gasoline stockpiles unexpectedly increased by 700,000 barrels last week, the first increase in more than a month as a result of an increase in coronavirus cases worldwide.
Crude oil futures for September fell $1.77 or 2.7 percent to settle $63.60 barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. October Brent crude dropped 1.38 or 2.01 percent to settle at $66.85 a barrel on London's Intercontinental Exchange.