Crude oil is down was down more than 2.3 percent through mid-day in the US session Tuesday. The benchmark energy instrument has pushed five-month low just below $104/barrel, on suggestions by Saudi and Venezuelan oil ministers that both countries would vote to maintain production levels in today's OPEC meeting (scheduled for 9 PM Austrian time). Also contributing to deflating prices, is news that Hurricane Ike is weakening and was veering away from production centers in the Gulf of Mexico. - John Kicklighter, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com
