Oil prices hold firm as crude inventories fall and U.S. inflation eases

Oil prices hold firm as crude inventories fall and U.S. inflation eases - U.S. crude stockpiles declined by 2.5 million barrels last week as refiners processed more crude in a sign that demand might be perking up. Oil prices held firm Thursday as stockpiles in the U.S. fell for a second week and inflation eased. U.S. crude stockpiles declined by 2.5 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration, as refiners processed more crude in a sign that …