US oil prices halted a five-day slide today after the US government reported a surge in jobs growth, boosting investor confidence in the world's biggest economy.
US crude rose $1.11 to a session high of $97.47 a barrel, and London's Brent crude rose $1.81 to $113.88 a barrel.
The US unemployment rate fell to 8.3% in January, its lowest level in nearly three years, thanks to an unexpected surge in hiring.
The blockbuster jobs report blew past expectations and lifted oil prices because the US is the world's biggest crude consuming nation.
Oil prices were also supported by the rising tension between the Iran and the West after Tehran's supreme leader warned of retaliation over "threats of oil embargo and war".
