Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Thursday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery went up 60 cents, or 0.82 percent, to settle at 73.92 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery gained 76 cents, or 1.0 percent, to settle at 76.92 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.