Crude Oil Rises a Second Day as Faster U.S. Economic Growth May Boost Fuel Use

Crude oil gained a second day in New York after forecasts that the U.S. economy probably grew at a faster pace in the third quarter, signaling a recovery in fuel demand in the world’s biggest crude consuming nation. Futures rose 1.4 percent on Oct. 22 amid speculation that a French strike may increase demand for imported fuels. U.S. gross domestic product climbed at a 2 percent annual pace, up from 1.7 percent in the previous three months, a Bloomberg News survey of economists showed before an Oct. 29 Commerce Department report.

The December contract advanced as much as 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $82.16 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $82.10 at 9:15 a.m. Sydney time. It rose $1.13 to $81.69 on Oct. 22. Prices gained 0.5 percent last week and are up 3.4 percent this year. Tropical Storm Richard strengthened to a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, as it moves to the west-northwest at 13 mph toward the coast of Belize, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory yesterday.

Brent crude for December settlement added 30 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $83.26 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract gained $1.13, or 1.4 percent, to $82.96 on Oct. 22.


Courtesy of Bloomberg News


Reporter Ben Sharples can be reached at bsharples@bloomberg.net

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