Crude futures ease despite fears

Crude futures eased slightly today in light trade as traders looked toward another expected build in US crude stocks, shrugging off another attack on oil fields in Iraq and a looming strike in Africa’s largest exporter Nigeria.

Light, sweet for December delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange was at $47.20 per barrel mid-morning today in Asian after-hours electronic trade, falling 12c from its Friday closing.