Oil Slips as Stockpiles Rise

U.S. oil prices fell on Friday after government data released late in the previous session showed stockpiles rose last week for a seventh straight week, although losses were muted as inventory growth was well below expectations. U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell 12 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $54.33 a barrel by 0323 GMT, having closed up 1.6 percent in the previous session.