Oil prices rise amid positive sentiment

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 (Xinhua/APP) –: Oil prices advanced on Thursday, bolstered by positive sentiment.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery gained 86 cents, or 1.07 percent, to settle at 81.01 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery added 1.35 dollars, or 1.57 percent, to close at 87.47 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

The rally came as traders bet on rising energy demand in China.

Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected economic data from the United States provided additional support to oil markets.

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