LONDON, May 17: World oil prices rose further on Friday on talk of a potential scaling back of the US stimulus measures and despite a stronger dollar making crude more expensive for holders of rival currencies, analysts said.

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July grew 69 cents to $104.47 a barrel in London midday deals. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for June, climbed 48 cents to $95.64 a barrel.

“Crude oil prices extended gains on Friday... after Fed officials hinted at the possibility of reducing its $85 billion bond-buying programme,” said Myrto Sokou, senior research analyst at Sucden brokers. Speculation is increasing that the Federal Reserve is mulling an exit to its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus policy.—AFP