Getting your player ready...
NEW YORK — Oil prices surged nearly 9 percent Thursday as investors focused on a weaker dollar, rising stock markets and the hope that the U.S. economy has finally bottomed out.
Natural-gas prices also rose even though a government report said U.S. inventories remain well above historical levels.
On Thursday, benchmark crude for May delivery rose $4.25 to settle at $52.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas for May delivery added 8.7 cents to settle at $3.782 per 1,000 cubic feet.
