Crude prices tumble on strong dollar

Crude price lost Thursday as dollar appreciated. A stronger greenback made the dollar-priced crude less attractive for buyers holding other currencies.

Dollar gained against most major currencies after the Federal Reserve increased projections of federal funds rate Wednesday. The central bank raised its median estimate for the federal funds rate to 1.375 percent by the end of 2015, higher than the 1.125 percent released in June.

The growing U.S. supplies also weighed on the crude prices.

U.S. crude stockpiles added 3.7 million barrels to 362.3 million barrels for the week ended Sept. 12, the Energy Information Administration said Wednesday.

Last week, U.S. crude production added 248,000 barrels per day to 8.838 million barrels per day, the highest level since 1986.

Markets were skeptical about the production outlook of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) which helped boost prices.

The secretary general of OPEC said Tuesday the cartel may trim its output quota next year by about 500,000 barrels per day.

Light, sweet crude for October delivery moved down 1.35 U.S. dollars to settle at 93.07 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for November delivery lost 1.27 dollars to close at 97.7 dollars a barrel.