U.S. oil prices remained above $20 a barrel.

Oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange held above the critical $20-a-barrel mark for the second-straight day to close at their highest level in 17 months. West Texas intermediate, the benchmark U.S. crude, jumped 21 cents to $20.27 a barrel for July delivery on the Merc. On the U.S. Gulf Coast spot market, where oil is sold to the highest bidder, West Texas intermediate gained 20 cents to $20.10 a barrel.