Oil Rises to Two-Month High as Profits Bolster Economic Optimism

Oil rose to the highest level in more than two months, advancing with equities on optimism that economic growth will accelerate and as tension increased in the Middle East.

Futures climbed 1.6 percent as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index reached a three-month high, led by commodity and industrial shares, on speculation that central banks will boost efforts to lift growth. Rebels in Syria said Prime Minister Riad Hijab defected in the highest-ranking departure since an uprising began last year.