Increasing the oil prices to a maximum of two weeks in U.S. Retail Sales

Oil rose to a maximum of two weeks as U.S. consumers spends more on the weekend of Thanksgiving last year, a sign of confidence in the economy is strengthening, and European finance chiefs gave Ireland a rescue package.

Oil traded above $ 85 a barrel, while the average U.S. buyer purchases increased 6.4 percent, with nearly 212 million going to the stores and websites, according to a report by the National Retail Federation. The European Union agreed a 85 million euros (113 billion) package of Ireland.

"People are looking at a pretty decent retail environment, and giving a boost from oil," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. "The more positive outlook for Ireland is also making people feel more optimistic today."

Oil for January delivery rose 67 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $ 84.43 a barrel at 9:16 am in the New York Mercantile Exchange. It touched U.S. $ 85.03, the highest intraday price since 15 November. Futures have gained 11 percent in the last year.

Brent crude oil for January settlement rose 64 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $ 86.22 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London.

Futures also gained as traders bet zero temperatures and snow forecast across Europe will promote the consumption of heating oil.

"We're having the coldest November in 25 or 30 years for people to burn more oil," said Christopher Bellew, senior broker at Bache Commodities Ltd. in London.

Temperatures in Paris will be as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius tomorrow (23 Fahrenheit), compared with an average minimum of 4 for this time of year. London temperatures may refuse to at least 6 of 03 December, according to CustomWeather.