Prices supported by healthy economic indicators in the world's major economies

Oil prices rose in Asian trade today, supported by healthy economic indicators in the world's major economies, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March was up two cents to $96.68 a barrel in morning trade and Brent North Sea crude for March delivery climbed 18 cents to $116.70. A slowdown in contraction of eurozone business activity soothed fears about political uncertainty in Italy and Spain -- which had sent markets plunging in the US and Europe Monday -- while upbeat US services sector data lifted US oil futures.