Oil up ahead of US data expected to show tight gasoline inventories LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Oil was up ahead of weekly US data which will show gasoline inventories fell again last week, said analysts, sparking supply fears before the peak demand US driving season starts. The data will be released at 3.30 pm BST by the US Energy Information Administration. Market players are calling for a 1.66 mln barrel fall in gasoline stocks in the week to March 13. Crude stocks are thought to have risen by 890,000 barrels, while distillates, which include heating oil, will have dropped by 612,500 barrels, showed a Thomson Financial News survey. At 9.22 am, London Brent crude for June delivery was up 22 cents at 66.15 usd a barrel. Meanwhile, New York crude for May delivery was up 22 cents at 63.32 usd a barrel. New York May contracts will expire on Friday. Stronger prices are set to remain until gasoline stocks start to rise, at which point market psychology will begin to change, said Man Financial analyst, Edward Meir. Elsewhere, traders were still keeping a close eye on developments in Nigeria ahead of presidential elections this weekend. "The countrys propensity for violence should increase over the next few weeks ahead of very controversial elections," said Meir. "We would not be surprised to see majors like Royal Dutch Shell being cautious about announcing any type of restarts, knowing full well that the country is entering yet another dangerous period just ahead." Shell traders said the company was expected to restart its Forcados crude oil stream in Nigeria's Niger Delta after being shut a year ago. However, the company declined to comment officially.

copper down 300 tonnes
lead up 150 tonnes
nickel up 438 tonnes
aluminium up 775 tonnes
tin unch
zinc down 625 tonnes