US Cash Crude-Grades rise as WTI-Brent spread trades at widest in eight months

HOUSTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Grades rose on Tuesday, dealers said as the spread between U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude and global benchmark Brent was trading at its widest since last April.

The spread between WTI and Brent widened to as much as minus $4.76 during the session. A spread larger than minus $4 typically encourages exports.

U.S. crude and fuel inventories rose last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Crude stocks rose by 5.23 million barrels in the week ended January 9, the sources said on condition of anonymity. Gasoline inventories rose by 8.23 million barrels, while distillate inventories rose by 4.34 million barrels from a week earlier, the sources said.

• Light Louisiana Sweet for February delivery rose 93 cents to a midpoint of a $1.88 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.50 and $2.25 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• Mars Sour rose 20 cents to a midpoint of a $1.30 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.40 and $1.20 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• WTI Midland rose 5 cents to a midpoint of a $1.05 premium and was seen bid and offered between a 95-cent and $1.15 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• West Texas Sour fell 7 cents to a midpoint of a $1.45 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.55 and $1.35 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1

• WTI at East Houston , also known as MEH, traded between a $1.15 and $1.35 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• ICE Brent March futures LCOc1 rose $1.60 to settle at $65.47 a barrel

• WTI February crude CLc1 futures rose $1.65 to settle at $61.15 a barrel

• The Brent/WTI spread narrowed 0 cents to last trade at minus $4.55, after hitting a high of minus $4.48 and a low of minus $4.76