Crude oil futures down on global cues

NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Crude oil eased to Rs 6,079 per barrel today in line with a weak trend in Asian trade as speculators trimmed positions.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in January fell by Re one, or 0.02 per cent, to Rs 6,079 per barrel, with a business volume of 548 lots.
Oil prices for delivery in February next year contracts fell by a similar margin to trade at Rs 6,110 per barrel, in business volume of 20 lots.
Marketmen said the fall in crude oil futures prices was mostly in tune with a weak trend in Asian trade on growing expectations the US Federal Reserve will scale back its stimulus programme after a key two-day policy meeting starting today.
Meanwhile, crude oil for delivery in January was down 11 cents, to USD 97.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent North Sea crude for February shed 20 cents to USD 109.21. (PTI)