NYMEX-Crude edges up toward $81 after 4-week closing low

                                
 TOKYO, Nov 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures edged up on
Thursday from a a four-week closing low, paring four-day losses
that drove prices down more than $7 a barrel amid concerns about
global oil demand.
                                
 FUNDAMENTALS
                                
 * NYMEX crude for December delivery <CLc1> was up 42 cents at
$80.86 a barrel by 2348 GMT, after settling down $1.90 at $80.44
a day earlier amid concerns that China would take steps to cool
inflation, which would curb demand from the world's biggest
economic growth engine.
                                
 Oil erased $7.37, or 8.39 percent, over four days as worries
about euro zone debt and Europe's economy added to doubts about
oil demand.
                                
 * U.S. crude stockpiles fell 7.3 million barrels last week as
imports dropped and refinery demand increased with more
production units restarting after seasonal maintenance, U.S.
Energy Information Administration data showed on Wednesday.
[EIA/S]
                                
 * Ireland committed itself to working with a European
Union-IMF mission on urgent steps to help its stricken banking
sector, a process that could lead to a bailout despite Dublin's
deep reluctance. [ID:nLDE6AG004]
                                
 MARKETS NEWS
                                
 * U.S. investors were unable to recoup recent losses in the
market on Wednesday, suggesting the struggles recently
experienced by stocks are far from over.
                                
 The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was off 15.62 points,
or 0.14 percent, to 11,007.88. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index
<.SPX> edged up 0.25 point, or 0.02 percent, to 1,178.59.
                                
 * The rally that drove the dollar to seven-week highs fizzled
early in Asia on Thursday after subdued U.S. inflation data
bolstered the Federal Reserve's case for pumping more stimulus
into the economy. [USD/]
                                
 DATA/EVENTS
                                
 * The following data is expected on Thursday: (Times in GMT)
                                
 - 0000 Australia ABARE mineral statistics     Oct
                                
 - 0000 Australia ABARE Wheat supply, exports  Oct
                                
 - 1330 U.S.      Initial Claims           Weekly <USJOB=ECI>
                                
 - 1400 U.S.      Lead indicators            Sep  <USLEAD=ECI>
                                
 - 1400 U.S.      Philly Fed index           Oct  <USPFDB=ECI>
                                
 - 2200 U.S.      Semi Book/Bill             Sep  <USSEMI=ECI>
                                
 RELATED NEWS
> Dollar, stocks fall on Ireland debt crisis        [MKTS/GLOB]
                                
 PRICES
 Oil prices as of 2348 GMT          
 Contract Mnth    Price  Change  Day ago     pct     MA-20*
 NYMEX Contracts
 US Crude DEC0   $80.86   +0.42   -$1.90  -2.31%     $83.98
 Heat Oil DEC0   225.98   +0.79    -5.71  -2.47%     231.49
 RBOB     DEC0   216.62   +0.83    +0.22  +0.10%     214.24
 Natgas   DEC0   $4.022  -0.008  +$0.212  +5.55%     $3.784
 ICE Contracts
 Brent    JAN1   $83.16   -1.45   -$2.03  -2.34%     $85.52
 Gasoil   DEC0  $704.00  -10.50  -$14.75  -2.00%    $722.80
 Note: U.S. heating oil and RBOB gasoline contracts listed in
cents per gallon.
 * = 20-day moving average for continuation month.
 (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)