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Better news on the economy sent prices for oil and other commodities mostly higher Thursday.
The Commerce Department reported that consumers spent more in November than the month before. Also, the Labor Department said the number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell by 3,000 last week.
Crude oil for January delivery rose $1.03 to settle at $91.51 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Even though the prices of oil and gasoline have been rising, natural gas has been falling and is down 11 percent over the past two weeks.
