Crude oil trading at $79.42/bbl

Crude oil prices on Monday increased Rs34 to Rs6,321 per barrel in futures trade as participants widened their positions following a firm spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for September delivery traded higher Rs34 or 0.54 per cent at Rs6,321 per barrel in 5,361 lots. Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trade. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down by 0.40 per cent to $76.34 per barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.33 per cent lower at $79.42 per barrel in New York.