U.S. expiring Feb crude ends lower as stocks build

NEW YORK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - U.S. expiring February crude oil futures prices fell more than 2 percent on Thursday on an unexpected rise in U.S. crude inventories and concerns China's inflation could prompt more monetary tightening.

Crude futures posted a third consecutive lower settlement and Thursday's 2.2 percent slide was the biggest percentage slip since prices fell 2.37 percent on Jan. 4.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, expiring February crude <CLG1> fell $2, or 2.2 percent, to settle at $88.86 a barrel, trading from $88 to $90.86.

NYMEX March crude <CLH1> fell $2.22, or 2.42 percent, to settle at $89.59 a barrel, trading from $88.90 to $91.80. (Reporting by Robert Gibbons)