Crude prices rise after early-week declines

In the oil sector, political worries and concerns about small amounts of spare production capacity sent crude oil prices up on Thursday and Friday after it had reached an eight-week low of $58 per barrel on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate gained 74 cents to $59.20 per barrel on Friday but fell 4.3 percent over the week as a whole. Meanwhile, Brent crude gained 81 cents to $59.50 per barrel at the end of the week, but was down 0.1 percent on the week. Nymex gasoline was up on the day and the week, gaining 6.2 cents to $1.4740 per gallon Friday and rising 0.8 percent over the week.