LONDON -- Oil extended gains above $65 a barrel Friday to reach a fresh six-month high after the US reported a fall in oil inventories and further signs of economic improvement. Manning Jersey . Benchmark crude for July delivery was up 67 cents to $65.75 a barrel by late morning in Europe in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Thursday, the contract rose $1.63 to settle at $65.08, a six-month high and almost double the lows reached in March, when it fell below $35 a barrel. The Energy Departments Energy Information Administration on Thursday said US oil supplies dropped unexpectedly by 5.4 million barrels last week. Though crude inventories remain near 19-year highs, it was the third week in a row that supplies have fallen. Related readings:  Saudi: Global economy ready for $75-$80 oil  China mulls more private role in oil, etc  Oil hits $60 for 1st time in six months  Crude oil prices rally on robust indicators  Oil demand may take hit Investors were also cheered by signs the US recession may be bottoming out. The government reported Thursday that demand for big-ticket manufactured goods in April had its biggest jump in 16 months. It was the second increase in the past three months and came after separate data showed the number of newly laid-off people requesting jobless benefits fell last week. Weve got a lot more optimism about the economic outlook than we did, said Toby Hassall, an analyst with Commodity Warrants Australia in Sydney. The market is factoring in a recovery in demand by the end of the year. But theres no real evidence that demand is picking up at this point. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said Thursday at a meeting in Vienna that it will keep output levels unchanged. OPEC announced production cuts of 4.2 million barrels a day between September and January, but has kept output steady since then. The fragile status of the world economy was given as the main reason for the decision, analysts at JBC Energy wrote in a report. However, OPECs communique also pointed out that supply is still exceeding demand with oil inventories around the world close to record highs. The JBC analysts say that because supply remains so high, another OPEC production cut is likely, possibly at the next meeting in September. In other Nymex trading, gasoline for June delivery rose 1.28 cents to $1.92 a gallon and heating oil gained 1.02 cents to $1.61 a gallon. Natural gas for June delivery was up 1.9 cents at $3.98 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, Brent prices rose 76 cents to $65.15 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. New York Jets Plaxico Burress Jersey . The six-foot outside hitter helped lead the three-time defending champs with 3.5 kills per set, good for sixth in the country. Terrell Owens Jersey . Damian Saunders netted 17 points for Duquesne (8-5, 1-0 A10). T.J. McConnell scored 11 points in the win, while B.J. Monteiro added 10. Saint Josephs (5-9, 0-1) was led by Langston Galloways 20 points, while Ronald Roberts recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Panthers Jimmy Clausen Jersey . General manager Brian Sabean and maybe 100 members of the Giants staff gathered on the grass Thursday night at AT&T Park, posing for a group picture around a huge trophy. Donald Driver Jersey . There was a lot to celebrate - the Orlando Magics first victory in Dallas since 1997, and a win they probably had no business pulling off. The Magic were down by as many as 15 and by 11 early in the fourth quarter. Michael Irvin Jersey . Corey Maggette added 24 points and Kelenna Azubuike 16 for the Warriors, who have won two of three overall. C.J. Watson notched 14 points and Ronny Turiaf 13 in the win. Deron Williams finished with 31 points and 10 helpers for the Jazz, who had a three-game win streak ended. Oakland Raiders Janikowski Jersey . - Vincent Lecavalier is back as captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Warren Sapp Jerseys .S. Cellular Field. Treanor clubbed his third home run of the season, hit a two-run double and recorded a sacrifice fly, while Young doubled twice for the Rangers, who have scored 18 runs in the first two contests of this series -- both wins. Josh Hamilton added three hits, two runs scored and two RBI in the convincing victory. Casey Hampton Jersey . Chinas economy is facing a new round of growth in the coming two years, but the risks of inflation and asset bubble remain, said Fan Gang, secretary general of the China Reform Foundation. ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Jordan Hill and Zack MacQueen scored in the shootout to give the Sarnia Sting a 4-3 edge over the Niagara IceDogs in Ontario Hockey League play Friday night. Brandon Aldeerson had a goal an assist in regulation for Sarnia (12-17-1), while Ben OQuinn and Miroslav Preisinger also scored. Cardinals Adrian Wilson Jersey. Josh Moes scored twice for Niagara (9-17-5), while Andrew Agozzino also tallied. ' ' '