NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices rose Monday after the U.S. government said consumers spent more in July, easing concerns about another recession.
It was the latest in a series of reports that indicated the economy improved last month, which could strengthen demand for oil and gasoline.
Benchmark oil rose $1.90, or 2.2 percent, to finish at $87.27 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international varieties, increased 52 cents to end at $111.88 per barrel in London.
The Commerce Department said July consumer spending increased by the biggest amount in five months. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the nation's economic activity.
The report is an encouraging sign about the U.S. economy despite weak demand for gasoline, PFGBest analyst Phil Flynn said.
Energy analyst Jim Ritterbusch cautioned not to read too much into one report. A batch of economic news is expected this week that could provide a clearer picture of where the economy is headed — including unemployment numbers and manufacturing activity.
In the Northeast, there will be a bigger drop in gasoline demand over the next week or so because so many drivers filled up their tanks ahead of Hurricane Irene, said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at Oil Price Information Service.
"It strained the system but the system will recover very, very quickly," he said.
There have been few reports of shortages at gas stations. "There should not be problems and people shouldn't worry that it's going to take forever to catch up," Kloza added. "We'll catch up in a couple of days in terms of reasonable supply."
Most refineries in the Northeast were spared significant damage from Irene. New York Harbor, a major terminal for oil and gasoline imports, also escaped damage.
ConocoPhillips said one of its refineries in New Jersey was shut down temporarily, and two Sunoco refineries in Pennsylvania were operating at reduced rates.
In other Nymex contracts, heating oil rose less than a penny to finish at $3.0173 per gallon, gasoline futures fell 1.65 cents to end at $2.7695 per gallon and natural gas fell 8.2 cents to finish at $3.830 per 1,000 cubic feet.