Erlend Olson

Rally, Inventories U.S. crude oil inventories unexpectedlyJan. 1 because of rising Canadian imports and a
climbed 1.89 million barrels to 355.9 million in the weekseasonal decline in demand as refineries shut for
ended April 16, according to a Department of Energymaintenance. Supplies are so plentiful that West Texas
report. While the overall level of inventories is high, theIntermediate, or WTI, oil costs less than benchmark
pattern of movements is similar to recent years,Brent crude in Europe, a lower quality crude. Brent cost
Astmax's Emori said. The direction from here will bemore than WTI three times in the past year.
more important than the absolute level, and oil is likelyAccommodative monetary policy Federal Reserve
to be sustained between $80 and $90 a barrel for theSystem policy to increase the amount of money
rest of the year, he said. "Ninety could be reachable,available to banks for lending. See: Monetary policy.
but over $90 to $95 would probably be difficult unlessWith rights Shares sold accompanied by entitlement
there are more strong factors on the fundamental sidethe buyer to buy additional shares in the company's
appearing," he said. Erlend Olson :Writer The seller ofrights issue. ABC agreement A contract between an
an option, usually an individual, bank, or company thatemployee and a brokerage firm outlining the rights of
issues the option and consequently has the obligationthe firm purchasing an NYSE membership for that
to sell the asset (if a call) or to buy the asset (if a put)employee. Accommodative monetary policy Federal
on which the option is written if the option buyerReserve System policy to increase the amount of
exercises the option.money available to banks for lending. See: Monetary
policy.
Inventories are near the record 35.7 million barrels on