September WTI crude oil (CLU26) closed down -0.55 (-0.73%) on Wednesday, and September RBOB gasoline (RBU26) closed down -0.0134 (-0.47%).
Crude oil and gasoline prices added to this week's sharp losses on Wednesday, with crude falling to a 3-week low and gasoline dropping to a 4.75-month nearest-futures low. Growing optimism that the US and Iran are nearing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is pushing crude oil prices lower. Crude prices were also pressured on Wednesday after weekly EIA crude inventories unexpectedly increased.