Oil prices above $83 on jobs increase

Friday, October 7, 2011, Vol. 35, No. 40

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices are rising after a burst of hiring in the U.S. calmed fears of a new recession.

Benchmark crude rose 60 cents to $83.19 per barrel in morning trading in New York on Friday, while Brent crude lost 9 cents at $105.64 in London.

Oil recovered from 12-month lows this week as European leaders took steps to control the region's lingering debt crisis. Prices jumped again Friday after the Labor Department said employers added 103,000 jobs last month. The government said the country also added more jobs than previously estimated in July and August.

More jobs means gasoline demand could rise in coming months as more drivers return to the daily commute.