THE price of oil rose yesterday, taking its cue from the stock market and the dollar.

Benchmark oil for June delivery gained 69 cents to close at US$96.71 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Oil moved higher as US stock markets reversed early losses around midday. Although stocks slipped in the afternoon, a weak dollar propped up oil prices.

Since oil is traded in dollars, a weaker dollar makes crude and other commodities more appealing to investors holding other currencies. The euro rose to 1.2897 from US$1.2829 Friday. The dollar fell to 102.29 yen from 103.18 Friday.

Traders will watch economic reports later in the week for clues about the health of the world's two biggest economies. The US government will release home sales and durable goods orders for April and HSBC will release its monthly survey on China's manufacturing growth.

Analysts are also awaiting testimony Wednesday from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Of special interest are any possible hints that the Fed might be preparing to scale back its loose monetary policy because recent data has pointed toward a sustained economic recovery.

Brent crude, a benchmark for many international oil varieties, rose 16 cents to US$104.80 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other energy futures trading on Nymex:

- Wholesale gasoline was flat at US$2.91 a gallon.

- Heating oil rose 1 cent to US$2.95 a gallon.

- Natural gas gained 4 cents to US$4.09 per 1,000 cubic feet.