Crude oil futures were trading lower in mid-morning trade in Asia June 18 after latest US inventory data showed a rise in crude stockpiles for a second consecutive week, while fears of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases dampened demand recovery. At 10:10 am Singapore time (0210 GMT), ICE Brent August crude futures were down 58 cents/b (1.42%) from the June 17 settle at $40.13/b, while the NYMEX July light sweet crude contract was 76 cents/b (2%) lower at $37.20/b. US commercial crude stocks climbed 1.22 million barrels to a fresh all-time high of 539.28 million barrels in the week ended June 12, US Energy Information Administration data showed June 17. “We maintain our view that while we expect prices to continue increasing through the year, oil is expected to see short-term bearish pressures […]