Oil prices fell on Thursday as inventory data in the United States, the world’s top oil consumer, showed a surge in gasoline stocks that indicated weaker-than-expected fuel demand at the start of summer, the country’s peak season for motoring. Brent crude oil futures were down 36 cents, or 0.5%, at $71.86 a barrel by 0651 GMT, while U.S. oil futures declined by 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $69.61 a barrel. “Markets had been optimistic on demand as the U.S. enters the peak summer driving season,” analysts from ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday. “An acceleration in (coronavirus) vaccinations and rising traffic numbers are a plus for demand for transportation fuel. However, this data highlights it won’t be a smooth road back to recovery.” U.S. crude oil stockpiles that include the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) fell for the 11th straight week as refiners ramped up output, but fuel […]