20120815 1116 Global Markets & Commodities Related.

U.S. crude stocks rise unexpectedly, products mixed-API
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil stocks rose last week against analyst expectations, and refined product stocks were mixed, the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday.
Total U.S. crude inventories rose 2.8 million barrels in the week to Aug. 10, compared with analyst expectations for a 1.7-million-barrel drawdown.  GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares steady, US data lifts mood, stimulus hopes endure
TOKYO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Asian shares steadied on Wednesday as strong U.S. retail sales and data showing Germany and France avoiding a contraction last quarter bolstered investors' risk appetite, with weak euro zone growth sustaining hopes for more stimulus.
"We think this calm may last a few more days but see scope for volatility to pick up due to important upcoming events," such as the Jackson Hole meeting of central bankers and economists at the end of the month and the U.S. nonfarm payrolls data due early in September, Barclays Capital said in a note.

COMMODITIES-Oil up on supply woes, copper on German/French data
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Oil and copper rose on Tuesday, underpinned by worries about supply constraints for North Sea Brent crude and better-than-expected data on U.S. retail sales and German and French economic growth.
"I think the strength of the retail sales numbers and a good opening of the stock market is pushing up (oil) demand expectations," said Carl Larry, president of Oil Outlooks LLC in New York.

OIL-Brent ends at 3-month high on US data, stimulus hopes
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Brent oil futures ended at a fresh three-month high on Tuesday as strong U.S. retail sales, tighter North Sea crude supplies and speculation about economic stimulus outweighed weak euro zone growth data.
"I think the strength of the retail sales numbers and (gains in the) stock market have pushed up (oil) demand expectations," said Carl Larry, president of Oil Outlooks LLC in New York.

U.S. crude stocks rise unexpectedly, products mixed-API
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil stocks rose last week against analyst expectations, and refined product stocks were mixed, the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday.
Total U.S. crude inventories rose 2.8 million barrels in the week to Aug. 10, compared with analyst expectations for a 1.7-million-barrel drawdown.

NATURAL GAS-U.S. natgas futures end up 4 pct after test of support
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures ended higher on Tuesday, backed by incremental demand from several unexpected nuclear plant outages  coupled with technical buying and short-covering after an overnight test of chart support held.
"The weather is still as mild as it was yesterday, but there was some stiff support as we neared $2.70. It's the proverbial 'bargain hunter' discussion that comes with a major slide like this," Gelber & Associates analyst Pax Saunders said.

EURO COAL-Steady despite oil rise, Colombia rail strike vote
LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Physical prompt coal prices were unchanged on Tuesday despite oil's rise close to a three-month high and a vote by striking Colombian rail workers to return to work.
The tonnage lost as a result of the Fenoco strike and a separate dispute at Prodeco's mines may have an impact on prices in two to three months' time when end-users return to the market for Q4 cargoes but at present, there is still more coal available than there are buyers, traders and utilities said.