Oil rises $2 on OPEC and global markets

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil jumped $2 to near $72 a barrel on Friday, spurred by a broader rise across financial markets and expectations OPEC could cut output at an emergency meeting next week.

U.S. stocks rose as investors hunted for beaten-down shares, offsetting mounting concerns about a possible global recession.

U.S. crude settled up $2.00 to $71.85 a barrel, while London Brent crude gained $1.76 to settle at $69.60 a barrel.

"The market is up in line with other asset classes," said Thomas Stenvoll at UBS.

"Oil is dependent on strength in the economy but in order to have a sustainable rally we need to have proof that it has really improved or at least it is not collapsing," he said. "And right now we are not getting that proof."

U.S. consumer confidence suffered its steepest monthly drop on record in October, and Construction starts on new homes fell to a 17-1/2 year low the previous month. Markets awaited a meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and European leaders.

The financial crisis and high fuel prices earlier this year have eroded demand growth in the United States and other big consumer nations, sending oil in a tailspin from a record over $147 a barrel.

Analysts said oil traders were betting also that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will reduce supply to support prices.

The producer group has brought forward an emergency meeting to October 24 from November 18 to discuss the impact of global recession on oil markets.