Crude-oil futures extended gains after the Federal Reserve announced that it's prepared to buy long-term Treasurys. At the conclusion of a two-day meeting, the Fed also said the U.S. economy was weakening, but that it still expected a recovery in the second half. Crude for March delivery was last up $1.91, or 4.6%, at $43.49 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was trading about 3% higher before the Fed announcement. The Fed kept the target for its key interest rate unchanged.
