Signs of weakening in the European economy put downward pressure on crude oil prices at the start of trading Wednesday in New York. Brent crude oil was down only a fraction of a percent from the previous close to $48.18 per barrel, off about 2.8 percent since the start of September. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for crude oil prices, started the trading day at $45.00 per barrel, down a half percent from Tuesday, but relatively unchanged from the start of the month. Crude oil prices are down 50 percent from last year in part because of steady production levels from members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the increase in output from U.S. shale basins. Weak demand, meanwhile, has been the trend […]