U.S. oil cushion is down to 41 days, thinnest in four decades
America now holds just 41 days of crude supply, the thinnest cushion in roughly four decades, after emergency releases drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to its lowest level since 1982. The release was meant to steady prices, yet Brent has swung from $69 to $105 within a month. A thinner stockpile leaves prices little room to absorb the next shock.