By Virginia M. Harrison
SYDNEY(MarketWatch) -- Crude oil futures ticked higher in electronic trading Friday, ahead of the closely watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls report later in the day. Crude for August delivery added 3 cents to $98.70 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange during Asian trading hours. Oil prices rose by more than 2% in the North American session, after a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report suggested energy demand may pick up in the coming months.
