Crude Oil Climbs the Most in a Month After U.S. Economy Expands

Crude oil rose the most in a month after the U.S. economy grew in the third quarter for the first time in more than a year, spurring optimism that fuel demand will increase. Oil climbed as much as 3.9 percent after the Commerce Department said that the world’s largest energy consuming country expanded at a 3.5 percent annual pace from July through September. The economy was forecast to strengthen at a 3.2 percent annual pace, according to a Bloomberg News survey.

“This confirms that the recession has ended and now the only question is what the pace of the recovery will be,” said Bill O’Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis. “It would appear that this would lead to increased demand.” Crude oil for December delivery rose $2.71, or 3.5 percent, to $80.17 a barrel at 1:21 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures are up 80 percent this year after climbing to a one year high of $82 a barrel on Oct. 21. Prices are heading for the biggest gain since Sept. 30.....Read the entire article.