Oil rose for a sixth day, exceeding $90 a barrel for the first time since May, as U.S. housing starts rose more than forecast and gasoline inventories fell.
Prices advanced along with equities after the Commerce Department reported housing starts rose to a 760,000 annual pace in June. Gasoline stockpiles declined 1.82 million barrels last week, the Energy Department reported. Analysts had expected an increase of 1.2 million.
Oil for August delivery rose to $90.04, the highest level since May 30. Prices are down 9 percent this year.
Brent crude for September settlement increased $1.27, or 1.2 percent, to $105.27 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.
