LONDON—Oil prices slipped on Wednesday ahead of an expected rate hike by the Federal Reserve, but found a floor as market participants eyed falling U.S. crude stockpiles and upcoming European sanctions on Russian barrels.
Brent crude dipped 56 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $94.09 a barrel by 1027 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 53 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $87.84 per barrel.
At the same time, gasoline inventories fell 2.6 million barrels, more than expected. Official data is due at 1430 GMT.
China’s zero-COVID policy has been a key factor in keeping a lid on oil prices as repeated lockdowns have slowed growth and pared oil demand in the world’s second-largest economy….