Brent Crude trading at $79.18/bbl

Crude oil prices on Friday increased Rs16 to Rs6,173 per barrel in futures trade as participants widened their positions following a firm spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for February delivery traded higher by Rs16, or 0.26 per cent, at Rs6,173 per barrel in 12,064 lots. Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trade. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up by 0.22 per cent to $74.24 per barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.10 per cent higher at $79.18 per barrel in New York.