Benchmark crude for May delivery up 73 cents to $49.98 a barrel on NYMEX
In global petroleum market headlines, oil settled near USD 50 a barrel Thursday but gains were limited as mixed data from the United States and China reminded investors that any signs of economic recovery are still tentative. Benchmark crude for May delivery rose 73 cents to settle at USD 49.98 a barrel in light trading on NYMEX. In London, Brent prices gained USD 1.27 to settle at USD 53.06 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange, Finam reports.