NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil futures fell Wednesday after government data showed U.S. crude inventories fell less than expected last week as a jump in imports offset a rise in petroleum demand. Crude inventories fell by 400,000 barrels in the week ended Aug. 28, the Energy Information Administration reported. Analysts surveyed by Platts had expected a decline of 1.9 million barrels. Petroleum products supplied, an implied gauge of demand, rose 1.2% to 19.7 million barrels a day, with gasoline demand up 4.1%. Crude imports rose 3.8% last week, the EIA said. Gasoline inventories fell by 3 million barrels and distillate stockpiles rose by 1.2 million barrels, the EIA said. After the data, October crude futures fell 0.7% to $67.57 a barrel. Futures were down about 0.4% before the data.
