: U.S. oil prices settle at a nearly 3-week low

Oil futures fell Thursday, with U.S. benchmark prices settling at their lowest in almost three weeks, pressured by ongoing worries about a recession that could lead to a decline in energy demand. May West Texas Intermediate crude CLK23 declined by $1.87, or 2.4%, to settle at $77.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, with prices for the front-month contract, which expired at the day’s finish, settle at their lowest since March 31, FactSet data show. The new front-month contract, June WTI oil CLM23 finished at $77.37, down $1.87, or 2.4%.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.