The price of oil edged higher Monday as tension increased between Syria and Israel.
The benchmark oil contract for June delivery rose 55 cents to close at $96.16 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the third straight day of gains for oil, and the first close above $96 since April 2.
Prices rose early Monday on news of an Israeli military strike in Syria, raising concern of an expansion in conflict in the oil-rich Middle East. The price fell back below $95 before rising again late in the day.
Brent crude, which is the benchmark for international oil varieties and more susceptible to news from the Middle East, gained $1.27 to $105.46 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.
In other energy futures trading on the Nymex, wholesale gasolene rose 4 cents to $2.87 a gallon, heating oil rose 4 cents to $2.92 a gallon and natural gas fell 3 cents to $4.01 per 1,000 cubic feet.
– AP
Read more: