The U.S. oil-rig count fell by 10 in the most recent week, according to Baker Hughes Inc., marking the third consecutive week of declines. The number of U.S. oil-drilling rigs, which is viewed as a proxy for activity in the oil industry, has fallen sharply since oil prices started falling last year. At the count of 545, there are 66% fewer rigs from a peak of 1,609 in October 2014. A modest increase was reported three weeks ago, snapping a 10-weak decline, though that improvement appears to have been short-lived. According to Baker Hughes, the number of gas rigs rose by three to 192. The U.S. offshore-rig count was 25 in the latest week, down 5 from last week and 33 from a year earlier. For all rigs, including natural gas, the week’s total declined by 7 to 737. Oil prices recently were down 2.3% to $40.12 a barrel. […]