Oil futures edged higher, as less Americans claimed for jobless benefits, and as the trade gap in the world's biggest economy's narrowed by 10.7 per cent, a sign that GDP may rise more-than-expected. Crude oil for September settlement advanced 0.5 per cent, to $93.84 per barrel at 9:48 a.m. on the NYME. Brent oil for the same month rose 0.3 per cent, to $112.44 per barrel during today's London trading session.