Oil up slightly after mixed US economic reports

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil rose on Monday after a strong durable goods report in the U.S.

Demand for long-lasting manufactured goods rose sharply in December with gains in volatile aircraft orders, the Commerce Department said. But the number of pending home sales fell last month after hitting a 2 ½ year high in November.

Benchmark oil rose 25 cents to $96.13 a barrel in late morning trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

It's a big week for U.S. economic indicators. In addition to Monday's data, the government will release reports on weekly jobless claims, unemployment and fourth-quarter growth. And the Federal Reserve's policy committee holds a two-day meeting that concludes on Wednesday.

Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, was down 27 cents to $113.01 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other energy futures trading on Nymex:

— Wholesale gasoline rose 5 cents to $2.94 per gallon.

— Natural gas fell 12 cents to $3.34 per 1,000 cubic feet.

— Heating oil was unchanged at $3.04 a gallon.