OIL PRICES SLIP

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA/ - Oil prices fell again after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years, while expectations that Saudi Arabia could restore some disrupted export capacity eased immediate concerns over Middle Eastern supplies, the Wall Street Journal reports.

In London, Brent crude futures fell by 1.4 percent to USD 104.31 a barrel.

In New York, West Texas Intermediate /WTI/ declined 1.1 percent to USD 100.28 a barrel. Both benchmarks were down Wednesday, with Brent settling 2.7 percent lower and WTI losing 3.2 percent.

The Fed unanimously raised its benchmark federal-funds rate range by a quarter point to between 3.75 percent and 4 percent, despite the opposition of US President Donald Trump, who wanted their reduction.

Higher interest rates can affect economic activity and the demand for oil.