By Nick Godt
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) – Crude-oil futures finished higher Friday and on the week, as investors continued to take an upbeat view of the economy and amid forecasts of rising demand. Crude oil for November delivery finished up 8 cents, or 0.1%, at $71.77 a barrel. It gained 2.6% since last Friday’s close. Crude slumped earlier, pressured by a stronger dollar after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said loose monetary policy will end eventually. But optimism over the economy dominated after news that the trade deficit narrowed in August, which helped stocks add to this week’s strong gains. The International Energy Agency also raised its forecasts for global oil demand by 200,000 barrels a day for this year and by 350,000 barrels a day for 2010.

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