Unexpected surge in EIA crude oil inventories signals weaker demand in Oil & Companies News 12/02/2026 In a surprising turn of events, the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report on crude oil inventories revealed a significant increase, indicating a weaker demand for crude oil. The actual number of barrels of commercial crude oil held by US firms rose to 8.530 million, a stark contrast to the forecasted decrease of 0.200 million. The actual figure not only exceeded the forecasted number but also dwarfed the previous week’s inventory, which was recorded at a decrease of 3.455 million. This sudden surge in crude oil inventories suggests a significant drop in demand, which could potentially impact the price of petroleum products and subsequently, inflation. Crude oil inventories serve as a crucial indicator of the balance between supply and demand. An increase in inventories typically implies weaker demand, which is bearish for crude prices. Conversely, a decrease in inventories suggests greater demand, which is bullish for crude prices. The unexpected rise in inventories this week has sent a bearish signal to the market. This could lead to a downward pressure on crude prices, which may have wider implications for the economy, particularly in terms of inflation. However, it is important to note that these figures represent a snapshot in time and can be influenced by a variety of factors. Therefore, while the current data indicates a weaker demand for crude oil, it does not necessarily predict a long-term trend. In the coming weeks, investors and analysts will be closely monitoring the EIA’s crude oil inventories for any signs of a reversal in this trend. The level of inventories and its impact on crude prices will continue to play a crucial role in shaping economic forecasts and market sentiments. Source: Investing.com 2026-02-12 hellenicshippingnews... window.___gcfg = {lang: 'en-US'}; (function(w, d, s) { function go(){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], load = function(url, id) { if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.src = url; js.id = id; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }; load('//connect.facebook.net/en/all.js#xfbml=1', 'fbjssdk'); load('https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js', 'gplus1js'); load('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js', 'tweetjs'); } if (w.addEventListener) { w.addEventListener("load", go, false); } else if (w.attachEvent) { w.attachEvent("onload",go); } }(window, document, 'script')); tweet Share