Oil rises amid hopes for improved consumer confidence in U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net - Expectations of improved consumer confidence in the U.S. helped boost oil prices on Tuesday, Sept 25, The Associated Press reported.

Benchmark oil for November delivery was up 20 cents to $92.13 per barrel at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The contract fell 96 cents to finish at $91.93 per barrel on the Nymex on Monday. Worries about weaker economic growth dragged down prices because slower economies mean less demand for oil.

Brent crude rose 14 cents to $109.95 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Oil analyst Stephen Schork said in an email commentary that while U.S. growth is "anemic," prices were buoyed by expectations of improving U.S. consumer sentiment for September, to be released later Tuesday in New York by the Conference Board.

"As for today all eyes will likely be on consumer confidence," Schork said. He also said good news could come from the U.S. housing market, which appears to be bouncing back after years of lethargy. Standard & Poor's releases S&P/Case-Shiller index of home prices for July, and data on new and pending home sales will be released later in the week.

Last week, a report said U.S. home sales jumped to the highest level in more than two years in August. The government also reported that construction of single-family homes in August was the fastest in more than two years.