New York, November 28 (FinanceEnquiry.com) - Signs of economic recovery in the U.S. and sanctions against Syria have pushed up oil prices to their highest level in more than a week. Futures went up for a second day on sentiment that Middle East crude supplies might be threatened by the sanctions in Syria and the record 16 percent increase in U.S. sales during Thanksgiving. It surged by 3 percent in New York. According to the National retail Federation, a record amount of $52.4 billion was spent by U.S. consumers during the Thanksgiving weekend.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil for January delivery went up $2.93 to $99.70 a barrel which was its highest level since Nov. 18. In the past year, prices have gone up by 16 percent. At 8:58 a.m. London time, crude was at $99.61 a barrel.

Brent oil for January settlement went up by 2.1 percent to $108.59 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Compared to a record of $27.88 on Oct. 14 and $9.63 on Nov. 25, the European benchmark contract