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Oil prices rose in Asian trade today as robust US jobs data boosted the hopes for stronger energy demand in the world’s biggest economy.
New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for January delivery, was up 23 cents at $97.88 a barrel in mid-morning trade, while Brent North Sea crude for January rose 13 cents to $111.74.
Singapore’s United Overseas Bank said in a research note that the prices were supported “by the outlook for increased demand after strong jobs data from the US, the world’s top oil consumer’’.
The US Government had reported last week that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 7.0 per cent in November from 7.3 per cent in October.
The data, which pointed to further strength in the US economy, also saw a better-than-expected surge of 203,000 jobs generated.
As the world’s largest oil consuming nation, the health of the American economy has a major influence in the crude oil market.
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