Crude oil prices decline, gasoline edges up

Crude oil prices were lower again on Tuesday as the ceasefire between Isreal and Hizbollah seemed to be holding.  Brent crude for September delivery was 19 cents lower to $74.11 per barrel, while September contracts for West Texas Intermediate on the New York Mercantile Exchange were down 8 cents to $73.45 per gallon.

Gasoline futures were up even though there have been increased deliveries of Nigerian crude to refineries in the eastern United States.  September contracts for Nymex unleaded gasoline were 2.2 cents higher to $2.0125 per gallon.