Fed Chair Janet Yellen said at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Monday that the overall labor market is quite positive, although the recent slowdown in jobs bears "close watching".

She said additional rate increases would still probably be appropriate but did not give a specific time period for the next hike.

The West Texas Intermediate for July delivery added 1.07 U.S. dollars to settle at 49.69 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for August delivery gained 0.91 dollar to close at 50.55 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange

source : xinhua