West Texas Intermediate traded near the lowest price in a week amid speculation crude inventories increased in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer. Futures were little changed in New York after declining the most in almost a month yesterday as a U.S. manufacturing gauge dropped more than forecast. Crude stockpiles probably gained by 2.25 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg News survey of analysts before a report from the Energy Information Administration tomorrow. “The data out of the U.S. is showing things aren’t as good as expected when it comes to the economy,” David Lennox , a resource analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, said by phone today. “That’s going to have an impact on the oil price because the U.S. is a big consumer.” WTI for March delivery was at $96.64 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange , up 21 […]