Oil rebounded in Asian trade on Friday ahead of the release of a closely monitored US jobs report that will give fresh clues on the health of the world's biggest economy, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for October delivery, advanced 14 cents to USD 68.10 a barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for October delivery was five cents higher at USD 67.17.
The US jobs report, seen as an indicator of economic momentum, will give analysts further clues on whether the American economy is recovering from a recession that began in December 2007.
"Commodity markets will be watching the US employment report for August to be released tonight," the Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a report.
A smaller-than-expected decline last week in the number of US new claims for unemployment benefits, reported by the Labor Department Thursday, put investors on alert.
"The data are a sobering reminder that the labor market, and consumer spending, will be a drag on growth prospects," said Patrick O'Hare of Briefing.com.
A Credit Suisse report that predicted Asian economies would continue to rebound firmly from the global slump,
boosted by improving domestic demand and exports, is likely to bode well for oil demand.
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