Brent crude trading at $80.74/bbl

Crude oil prices increased Rs51 to Rs6,304 per barrel in futures trade as participants widened their positions following a firm spot demand. On MCX, crude oil for February delivery traded higher by Rs51, or 0.82 per cent, at Rs6,304 per barrel in 11,199 lots.

Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trade. Globally, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was up by 0.99 per cent to $75.83 per barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.87 per cent higher at $80.74 per barrel in New York.