By Nick Godt
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Crude oil futures maintained their advance early Wednesday, after the U.S. government reported its consumer price index rose 0.4% in November, matching economists expectations. Core prices, excluding food and energy, were flat, while economists expected a slight increase. Crude oil for January delivery was up 56 cents, or 0.8%, at $71.25 a barrel in electronic trade. Separately, housing starts rose to a 574,000 pace in November, stronger than the 563,000 pace expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. Crude sported early gains as traders await a statement from the Federal Reserve and data that's expected to show a decline in U.S. crude inventories.
