Brent oil halted gains after rising above $40 a barrel for the first time since December on estimates that U.S. stockpiles, already at the highest in eight decades, expanded further. Futures of the European benchmark lost as much as 1.6 percent in London. U.S. supplies probably rose 3.5 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg News survey before government data Wednesday. Ecuador’s foreign ministry said Latin American producers will meet on March 11 to discuss oil prices, while Russia said major suppliers may meet within weeks. China’s crude imports rose to a record in February, while product exports fell to the lowest in nine months. Oil in London has advanced more than 40 percent since slumping to a 12-year low in January amid speculation a proposal to freeze production will trim a global glut. A meeting among major producers to discuss capping output may be held in Russia, […]