Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on the potential of Iranian supply returning and as investors sold on speculation that inflation fears might lead the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which could limit economic growth.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 73 cents, or 1.1%, to $64.76 a barrel at 0241 GMT, following a 1.2% fall on Tuesday.

Brent crude futures also fell 73 cents, or 1.1%, to $67.98 a barrel, after dropping 1.1% on Tuesday.

“There is a wider risk-off play that’s going on,” said Westpac senior economist Justin Smirk, after oil prices fell and stock markets slumped as investors sold out of more speculative assets.

Smirk said speculation that the Federal Reserve might raise rates because of inflation fears weighed on the outlook for growth and in turn on commodities demand.

Data from the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday showed crude inventories rose by 620,000 barrels in the week ended May 14, while gasoline inventories fell by 2.8 million barrels and distillate stocks fell by 2.6 million barrels, according to two market sources.
The rise in crude stocks was less than the 1.6 million barrel rise analysts had estimated, on average, in a Reuters poll, while the declines in gasoline and distillate stocks were bigger than anticipated.