U.S. oil prices fell on Thursday after an industry report showed a surprise build in the country’s crude inventories, while Brent futures came off early lows to trade marginally higher. U.S. benchmark West Texas intermediate (WTI) futures were down 20 cents, or 0.37 percent, at $53.86 per barrel as of 0354 GMT after settling 16 cents higher at $54.06 in the previous session. Brent futures were 3 cents, or 0.05 percent, higher at $56.25 a barrel after falling 21 cents in early trade. They had settled 13 cents higher at $56.22 in the previous session. Trade is expected to remain thin for the rest of the week as most investors are away for year-end holidays, although the expiry of the front-month February ICE Brent contract on Thursday could see some activity in the contract. “Most investors […]