Oil Futures End Five-Day Slide Despite Surprise Crude Build

Crude oil futures rose on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, snapping a five-day losing streak as persistent uncertainty over the U.S.-Iran conflict overshadowed bearish inventory data. Prices rebounded even after government figures showed an unexpected sharp increase in U.S. crude stockpiles last week, a typically bearish signal that had weighed on the market in prior sessions. Traders attributed the reversal to lingering geopolitical risk premiums tied to the unresolved U.S.-Iran standoff, which continues to cloud supply outlooks. The rally marks the first gain for oil in six sessions.