LONDON - Oil eased to around US$70 a barrel on Wednesday pressured by weaker stock markets as investors awaited a U.S. inventory report expected to show supplies declined in the world's top consumer.

European shares slid for a fourth day as some investors unwound trades which had bett on a speedy economic recovery.

Late on Tuesday, the American Petroleum Institute released inventory data that was largely bearish.

"The stock market being down is a good reason for oil falling," said Christopher Bellew, a broker at Bache Commodities. "Essentially, we are still in the same range between US$69.50 and US$72.50."

U.S. crude for July eased 40 cents to US$70.07 a barrel by 1032 GMT, having settled 15 cents lower at US$70.47 on Tuesday.

Brent crude for August slipped 18 cents to US$70.06. The U.S. Energy Information Administration releases its weekly oil supply report at 1430 GMT.

The API data late on Tuesday showed a smaller than expected rise in crude stocks and a surprise increase in gasoline.

"Maybe the pattern of falling crude stock s in the statistics, if it's continued this afternoon, will hold us in that range rather than breaking back to the downside," Bellew said.

Analysts polled by Reuters expect crude supplies to fall 1.7 million barrels and gasoline inventories to decline by 100,000 barrels. The API reported crude stocks fell 1.3 million barrels and gasoline rose by 2.1 million barrels.

Oil traders consider the EIA report to provide a more complete snapshot of supplies because companies are required to respond to its weekly survey.

Some support for oil came from a weak dollar, which resumed its decline against other currencies on Wednesday.

A weaker dollar can boost investor demand for oil and commodities.

Oil hit a 2009 high above US$73 last week, lifted by expectations of economic recovery that would increase fuel demand. Prices are still far below the record high above US$147 reached last year.

President Barack Obama will unveil on Wednesday plans for sweeping reform of U.S. financial regulation, aimed at averting future crises like the banking meltdown that has plunged the global economy into recession.