Oil prices take small jump on death of Saudi king, but no change in policy expected
Oil prices rose on the news of the death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Thursday, but the king's death is not expected to change the course of oil prices over the next several months.
The price of U.S. crude was up $1.07, or 2.3 percent, to $47.38 a barrel in after-hours trading. Brent crude, an international benchmark, was up 1 percent to $49 a barrel.
Oil prices have plummeted nearly 60 percent since June as global supplies have soared. Saudi Arabia has so far declined to call for a cut in production by OPEC members that could reverse the price decline.
Analysts expect Saudi oil minister Ali Al-Naimi to remain in his position for at least the next several months and for Saudi Arabia's export policy to remain the same.