Crude oil surged, with West Texas Intermediate surpassing $100 a barrel for the first time in nine months, as the government reported that U.S. stockpiles declined for the first time in four weeks.

WTI climbed as much as 2.6 percent. The Energy Information Administration said that supplies fell 10.3 million barrels to 383.8 million. The report was projected to show a 2.25 million-barrel decline, according to a survey. Prices also rose after Egypt’s President Mohamed Mursi rejected a demand from the military to solve the country’s political impasse, boosting anxiety that Middle East shipments will be cut.

WTI crude for August delivery gained $1.97, or 2 percent, to $101.57 a barrel at 10:34 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract traded at $101.45 before the release of the EIA report at 10:30 a.m. in Washington. Futures touched $102.18, the highest intraday level since May 4, 2012. The volume of all futures traded was more than double the 100-day average for this time of day.

There will be no floor trading in the Nymex tomorrow because of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Any electronic trades will be booked for July 5.

Brent oil for August settlement rose $1.47, or 1.4 percent, to $105.47 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The European benchmark grade was at a $3.90 premium to WTI after falling to as little as $3.10 today. The spread was $4.40 yesterday, the narrowest based on closing prices since Jan. 4, 2011. It was more than $23 in February.

Gold price shows a moderate growth after a decline on the eve associated with the strengthening of the dollar.

Today, the U.S. dollar shows a reverse trend after weak data on activity in the U.S. service sector. Data released on Wednesday by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), showed that the rate of growth of activity in the U.S. non-manufacturing sector slowed in June, but employment grew. Reported Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the non-production sphere of the United States in June fell to 52.2 from 53.7 in May. Economists had forecast the index in June was 54.3. . Reading above 50 indicates expanding activity.

Investors are closely watching the changes in the monetary policy of both the United States and in other countries, as well as studying the economic data in the U.S. seeking guidance regarding the fate of the Fed's stimulus program.

Gold prices have been supported by the stimulus the Fed. Investors feared that the bond purchases will lead to higher inflation and a weakening dollar invested in precious metals as a hedge. However, most recently, fears that the Fed will soon complete these programs lowered the price of gold to near 3-year lows as traders were concerned about a possible decline in demand in the absence of these risks.

The cost of the August gold futures on COMEX today rose to 1259.30 dollars an ounce.

Change % Change Last

GOLD 1,241.90 -13.80 -1.10%

OIL (WTI) 99.37 1.38 1.41%