Crude oil prices fell marginally by Rs 10 to Rs 5,203 per barrel at the futures trade today, as speculators booked profits at prevailing higher levels even as it extended gains overseas.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in March fell Rs 10 or 0.19 per cent to Rs 5,203 per barrel with a business turnover of 6,837 lots. Similarly, April contract also traded lower by Rs 8 or 0.15 per cent to Rs 5,252 per barrel with a business turnover of 344 lots.
Market analysts said profit-booking by speculators mainly led to a fall in crude oil prices at the futures trade here but a firming trend in the overseas market after euro zone finance ministers sealed a deal on a massive new bailout for Greece, restricted the losses.
Meanwhile, crude for March delivery was trading $1.78 higher at $105.02 a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange.