Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Weak dollar and attacks on Nigerian oil installations led crude oil prices to an eight-month high above USD 73 a barrel in Asian trade this week.

NYMEX WTI touched USD 73.09 a barrel while Brent rose to USD 73.10 a barrel. US copper futures rose to a 2-week high on early Wednesday after manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States reinforced global economic recovery hope, according to reports.  

Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange touched USD 5,187.50 a ton, the highest since June 15. Other industrial metals also surged with lead hitting a two-week peak of USD 1,760 and nickel hitting USD 16,600, its highest level since late September.

BBN/SSR/SI/AD-03July09-4:20 pm (BST)