U.S. crude futures end lower as crude stocks build

NEW YORK Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures settled lower on Wednesday after a volatile session as government oil inventory data showing a large build in crude stocks and poor demand weighed on crude futures.

A stronger dollar and Wall Street's weakness also helped pressure crude and helped offset stronger gasoline futures, which were lifted by data showing fuel stockpiles fell last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude CLH0 fell 25 cents, or 0.32 percent, to settle at $76.98 a barrel, trading from $76.52 to $78.04. (Reporting by Robert Gibbons)