Oil prices up on US jobs optimism, Ukraine

SINGAPORE, Mar 7: Oil prices rose in Asian trade Friday ahead of the release of a key monthly US jobs report while traders keep an eye on the crisis in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, rose 19 cents to $101.75 in mid-morning Asian trade. Brent North Sea crude for April was up 18 cents at $108.28.

Investors are expecting the US non-farm payrolls report for February due out later Friday to mirror strong jobless claims figures released on Thursday.     — AFP