20130117 1134 Global Markets & Energy Related News.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares consolidate, global growth worry weighs
TOKYO, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Asian shares consolidated as better-than-expected U.S. earnings lifted sentiment, but concerns over the global economic outlook and U.S. fiscal problem capped markets.
"Fourth-quarter earnings results for U.S. companies have been better than expected, lifting investor outlook. However, concerns over the fiscal slope continue to weigh, and the main board is expected to see choppy trading above the 1,950-mark,"  Kim Soon-young, an analyst at IBK Securities, referring to South Korean shares, which opened up 0.3 percent at 1,983.67.

Factory, price data give hopeful signs for U.S. economy
WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. economy ended 2012 on a surprisingly sound note as factory output climbed and low inflation lifted consumers' purchasing power, signs the economy may be able to weather the higher tax bills that rang in the new year.
Manufacturing output climbed 0.8 percent in December, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, a day after retail sales data pointed to robust consumer spending last month.

FOREX-Euro still looking for inspiration, yen firm
SYDNEY, Jan 17 (Reuters) - The euro struggled to regain its momentum even after a top European central banker sounded relaxed about its recent run higher, while the yen hovered at one-week highs, still underpinned by a wave of short-covering.
"We continue to think any dips in EURUSD provide buying opportunities," said Vassili Serebriakov, strategist at BNP Paribas."In our view the euro also remains attractive on the crosses, and we are holding long EURCHF and EURSEK trade recommendations."

OIL-Oil rises on Algerian gas field attack, US stock draw
NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday after an Algerian gas field came under attack from Islamist militants and as data showed crude stocks fell in the United States last week.
"Given how successful Algeria has been at protecting its oil and gas installations over the decades, a raid like this was seen as fairly unlikely," said Sam Ciszuk, analyst with British-based consultancy KBC Energy Economics.

US crude stocks fall, fuel stocks rise-EIA
NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude stocks fell last week as imports dropped and fuel stocks rose, according to weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.
Crude stocks fell by 951,000 barrels to 360.3 million barrels in the week to Jan. 11, the EIA said. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected stocks to rise by 2.3 million barrels. Crude oil imports fell by 312,000 barrels per day to 7.99 million bpd in the week.

OPEC sees weaker demand for its crude in 2013
LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - OPEC expects demand for its crude to be lower than expected in 2013 because of higher supply from rival producers, indicating inventories could build up substantially even after a cut in output by top exporter Saudi Arabia.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' monthly report indicated world supply will comfortably outstrip demand in the first half of 2013, even after Riyadh cut output in December by almost 500,000 barrels per day to fend off a supply overhang and defend prices well above $100 a barrel. E