12th October 2009 - Oil Tops $72 on Economic Optimism, Oil Demand Outlook (NYT)

The belief that the global economy is showing signs of recovery has firmed the oil price, enabling it to pass the 72 dollars a barrel mark. It might have risen further but for the strength of the dollar, following Ben Bernake's remarks that the U.S. Federal Reserve, of which he is chairman, will tighten monetary policy as the economic recovery proceeds.