Oil prices lingered above $54 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as growing investor optimism about the global economy left crude poised to break out of a month-long trading range.

Oil prices hovered above $53 a barrel Monday in Asia as investors looked to U.S. bank stress test results and April unemployment data this week for signs the worst of the recession is over.

Oil prices fell below $51 a barrel Friday in Asia as investors clung to a month-long trading range amid uncertainty about when the global economy may emerge from a severe recession.

Oil prices dipped below $51 a barrel Friday in Asia as investors clung to a month-long trading range amid uncertainty about when the global economy may emerge from a severe recession.

Oil rose above $51 a barrel Thursday in Asia as investors took heart from optimistic comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve that the worst recession in decades is likely easing.

Oil prices hovered near $50 a barrel Wednesday in Asia as concern that a swine flu outbreak could undermine crude demand offset optimism about an eventual recovery from a global slump.

Oil prices dipped Wednesday in Asia as concern that a swine flu outbreak could undermine crude demand overrode optimism about an eventual recovery from a global slump.

Oil prices fell below $49 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as traders mulled how much a global outbreak of swine flu could undermine demand for crude.

Oil prices fell to near $49 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as traders mulled how much a global outbreak of swine flu could undermine demand for crude.

Oil prices fell toward $49 a barrel Monday in Asia as investors, groping for guidance amid a severe recession, took back Friday’s gains.