MARKET WATCH: Crude oil futures end shortened week trading lower

The New York Mercantile Exchange August crude oil contract lost 42¢ on July 3, closing at $104.06/bbl. The September contract declined 40¢ to $103.51/bbl. Markets were closed on July 4 for a holiday in the US.

The natural gas contract for August rose 4.9¢ to a rounded $4.41/MMbtu. On the US cash market, gas at Henry Hub, La., was $4.29/MMbtu on July 3, down 10¢.

Heating oil for August delivery fell 1.77¢ to a rounded $2.93/gal. Reformulated gasoline stock for oxygenate blending for August delivery edged down only slightly to remain virtually unchanged at a rounded $3.02/gal.

The August ICE contract for Brent crude delivery relinquished 24¢, closing at $111/bbl. The September contract dropped 32¢ to $110.88/bbl. The ICE gas oil contract for July declined $9 to $899.75/tonne.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ basket of 12 benchmark crudes for July 4 was $107.34/bbl, up 17¢ from July 3.