Oil rose more than $2 to hit a one-month high near $72 on Monday as positive Chinese economic data and firmer equities bolstered hopes of economic recovery and higher energy demand.

Oil fell to below $65 a barrel today, Monday and touched a five-week low earlier in the session, pressured by doubts over the prospects for a recovery in the global economy and energy demand.

Oil dropped a dollar to below $66 a barrel today, Friday, after unemployment data hardened views economic weakness would sap energy demand and that last month’s rally was overdone.

Oil rose to the highest level in about four months above $54 a barrel on Thursday as expectations that economic stimulus packages might be working to offset the impact of high oil inventories.

Alternative-energy investments are hot. But is the reward worth the risk? If a report released earlier this week is anywhere close to accurate, the answer is a solid no. It could be a decade until we see any solid growth.

Major energy companies are lined up to lock deals and land big profits with India’s new nuclear trade. India was out of the global nuclear loop for over 30 years, until now.

U.S. Congress set to approve $789 billion stimulus package… OPEC again cuts 2009 world oil demand forecast… OPEC figures suggest 65 percent compliance on output cuts…

MSCI world equity index down 0.85 pct at 212.56… Rally after UK bank rescue package evaporates… S&P ratings downgrade on Spain hits euro

U.S. oil price rises above $36… UAE follows OPEC deals with Jan, Feb cuts… Expectations of slowing energy demand weigh

Dollar plunges to 13-1/2 year trough vs yen, below 88… European, U.S. government debt touch fresh historic lows… Morgan Stanley’s, PNB Paribas’ losses lead stocks lower… Oil slips; OPEC’s record cut doesn’t offset demand slide