据5月17日Trend报道，油价周三变动不大，因交易商仍持谨慎态度，此前美国公布的经济数据弱于预期，美国原油库存意外增加，引发需求担忧。

布伦特原油期货价格下跌3美分，至每桶74.88美元。截至格林威治标准时间2时22分，美国西得克萨斯中质原油价格微跌2美分至70.84美元。

OANDA分析师Edward Moya表示，“由于能源交易商无法摆脱对全球需求的担忧，原油价格仍然维持在较高水平。不管大家对下半年经济有多乐观，目前的形势都太令人失望了”。

市场消息人士援引美国石油协会(American Petroleum Institute)的数据称，截至5月12日的一周，美国原油库存增加了约360万桶。路透社调查的七位分析师此前预计减产90万桶。

美国政府将于当地时间5月17日14时30分公布原油和成品油库存数据。

原油库存增加加剧了对美国经济增长的担忧，此前数据显示，4月份零售量增长0.4%，低于预期的0.8%。

关于提高美国债务上限的谈判继续给市场带来压力，美国财政部估计，如果国会不提高债务上限，美国最早将在6月1日陷入严重的债务违约。

CMC markets分析师Tina Teng表示，“美国债务上限谈判陷入僵局，零售商业绩令人失望，令市场情绪走低。对经济衰退的担忧再次拖累了全球市场”。

市场正密切关注5月19日至21日在日本举行的七国集团(G7)领导人会议上就扩大制裁采取的新举措。

洪伟立 摘译自 Trend

原文如下：

Oil little changed as demand worries spur caution

Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as traders remained cautious after a surprise rise in U.S. crude inventories stoked demand concerns on the heels of weaker-than-expected economic data from the United States, Trend reports with reference to Reuters.

Brent crude futures slipped 3 cents to $74.88 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude edged down 2 cents to $70.84 as of 0222 GMT.

"Crude prices remain heavy as energy traders just can't shake off global demand concerns. It doesn't matter how upbeat everyone is for second half of the year, the current situation is too disappointing," said Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA.

U.S. crude stockpiles rose by about 3.6 million barrels in the week ended May 12, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Seven analysts polled by Reuters, had expected a 900,000 barrel drawdown.

U.S. government data on crude and product stockpiles is due at 1430 GMT.

The crude inventory build added to concerns about U.S. growth after data showed retail sales rose 0.4% in April, short of estimates for an increase of 0.8%.

Talks on raising the U.S. debt ceiling continue to weigh on the market. The U.S. Treasury Department has estimated that the United States will go into a crippling default as early as June 1 if Congress does not lift the debt ceiling.

"Sentiment soured amid stalled U.S. debt ceiling talks and disappointing retailers' earnings overnight. Recession fears again dragged on the global markets," said Tina Teng, an analyst at CMC Markets.

Markets are closely following any new steps on expanding sanctions by the Group of Seven (G7) leaders when they meet in Japan on May 19-21.