Brent crude trading at $85.96/bbl

Crude oil prices climbed Rs69 to Rs6,789 per barrel in futures trade as participants widened their positions following a firm spot demand. Globally, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was up 0.88 per cent to $81.75 per barrel, and Brent crude traded 0.73 per cent higher at $85.96 per barrel in New York. On MCX, crude oil for March delivery traded higher Rs69 or 1.03 per cent at Rs6,789 per barrel in 3,787 lots. Analysts said raising of bets by participants kept crude oil prices higher in futures trade.