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Crude prices rose today, rallying after energy firms posted positive earnings including Exxon which had its best quarter on record. Despite the gains, both contracts were down week over week for the second week in a row. “The market was down much of the week on worries about a looming economic recession and an expansion of the banking crisis with First Republic,” said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. “But, today there were headlines showing there may be a solution to the First Republic problem, and there was data pointing to a rise in oil demand and a decline in output,” Flynn said. U.S. crude production fell in February to 12.5 million barrels per day, its lowest since December while Fuel demand rose to nearly 20 million bpd, its highest since November. WTI traded up $2.02 or 2.7% to close at $76.78. Front-month Brent raised $1.17 or 1.5% to settle at $79.54. Next month Brent rose 2.7% to close at $80.33.