U.S. crude stocks rose less than expected last week, while gasoline stocks increased and distillate inventories fell, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Crude inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels in the week ended Feb. 1, compared with analysts’ expectations for an increase of 2.2 million barrels. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub rose by 1.4 million barrels, EIA said. “As we move deeper into maintenance season, we have seen a third consecutive build to crude stocks,” said Matthew Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData. “The build is once again only modest, given stymied imports and strong exports.” U.S. oil prices pared losses and turned positive after the data release. U.S. crude was up 42 cents at $54.08 […]