Crude oil tops $100

Crude oil prices held under $100 per barrel Wednesday, keeping within its 2012 trading range. Prices rose overnight as economic data from Europe encouraged investment. But gains were held in check by long-term concerns over the sluggish recovery. Better-than-expected manufacturing data from Britain and Germany gave stocks in Europe a boost. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery added 57 cents to reach $99.05 per barrel. Home heating oil gained 2.36 cents to $3.0745 per gallon. Reformulated blendstock gasoline gained 4.01 cents to $2.931 per gallon. Henry Hub natural gas prices shed 0.69 cents to $2.434 per million British thermal units. At the pump, the national average price of unleaded gasoline rose to $3.45 per gallon Wednesday from Tuesday's $3.443, AAA said.