February 21, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 19, 1423

LONDON, Feb 20: IPE Brent crude futures fell on Thursday after weekly US oil stockpile reports were split on crude supplies but agreed on a drop in heating oil stocks that was deemed in line, dealers said.

After wobbling slightly at the release of the weekly data, IPE April Brent crude futures were traded 33 cents lower at $32 a barrel by 1636 GMT, off a recently hit low $31.85. The nearest major support level was seen around $31.56 a barrel.

“The market has been encouraged a bit more by the higher volume but it’s still very whippy,” said one trader.

Volume remained modest at 24,000 lots.—Reuters