Oil prices rose on Thursday but didn't hang onto strong gains from earlier in the day. Positive economic news had pushed oil above $97 per barrel, but it settled for less.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange:

Benchmark crude rose 17 cents to end at $95.53 per barrel.

Wholesale gasoline rose 4.12 cents to finish at $2.9910 per gallon.

Heating oil rose 2.49 cents to end at $3.1425 per gallon.

Natural gas fell 1.9 cents to finish at $2.7760 per 1,000 cubic feet.

On the ICE Futures exchange in London:

Brent crude rose 40 cents to end at $113.49 per barrel.