Brent crude trading at $87.23/bbl

Crude oil prices climbed Rs44 to Rs6,953 per barrel in futures trade as participants widened their positions following a firm spot demand. Globally, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was up 0.20 per cent to $83.34 per barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.15 per cent higher at $87.23 per barrel in New York.

On MCX, crude oil for April delivery traded higher Rs44 or 0.64 per cent at Rs6,953 per barrel in 6,185 lots. Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trade.