Oil higher in Asian trade but investors cautious

Oil was slightly higher in Asian trade today but investors remained cautious over the outlook for energy demand as worries remain over the strength of the US economic recovery, analysts said.
     
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery gained 25 cents to US$ 77.25 a barrel.
     
Brent North Sea crude for December delivery was 2 cents higher at US$ 75.22.
     
While data released last Thursday showed the US has emerged from a prolonged recession, consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the nation's economic activity, fell in September.
     
"I think the reality is that the economic signals out there have been mixed," said Victor Shum, a Singapore-based analyst with energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz.
     
"Last week there was positive US (gross domestic product) but consumer spending was quite negative."
     
Shum added that "even though there are signs of economic recovery, the recovery appears to be on a shaky ground and also somewhat uncertain."
     
The US said Friday consumer spending in the world's biggest economy and energy user fell for the first time in five months in September.
     
A day earlier, the Commerce Department said the US economy grew at a seasonally adjusted 3.5% in the September quarter from the previous three months.