Crude oil futures rose 0.17 per cent to Rs 5,341 per barrel today as speculators enlarged their positions following a firm global trend.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in March rose Rs 9 or 0.17 per cent to Rs 5,341 per barrel with an open interest of 4,269 lots. Similarly, April contract moved up by a similar margin to Rs 5,398 per barrel with an open interest of 696 lots.
Analysts attributed the rise in crude futures to a firm trend in the Asian market, supported by improved saentiment on the US economy and continued concerns over tensions between Iran and the West.
Meanwhile, crude oil for delivery in April advanced by 56 cents to $106.90 a barrel in morning trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.