Investing.com - Crude oil futures were higher on Friday, as investors awaited the release of highly anticipated U.S. employment data later in the day, amid growing uncertainty over the future of the Federal Reserve's stimulus program. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in June traded at USD95.08 a barrel during European morning trade, up 0.33%. Oil prices rose after the Department of Labor on Thursday said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell by 11,000 to 346,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 12,000 to 345,000. Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 357,000 from a previously reported increase of 354,000. The data came one day after U.S. private sector jobs data lowered expectations for a strong economic recovery. U.S. non-farm private employment rose by a seasonally adjusted 135,000 last month, below expectations for an increase of 165,000. The U.S. is the world’s biggest oil-consuming country, responsible for almost 22% of global oil demand. Prices were also supported after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Thursday said the euro zone economy is now likely to contract by 0.6% this year, from the 0.5% contraction forecast in March. However, the central bank revised up its growth forecast for 2014 to 1.1% from 1.0%. Draghi comments came after the ECB left its benchmark interest rate on hold at a record low 0.5% and left deposit rates at zero, following its monthly meeting on Thursday. Elsewhere, on the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent oil futures for June delivery added 0.16% to trade at USD103.78 a barrel, with the spread between the Brent and crude contracts standing at USD8.7 a barrel.

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