Crude oil futures further increased on Friday, on a weaker Dollar and macroeconomic statistics. Crude's increase to $80 a barrel fueled a rise in the expiring gasoline and heating oil futures.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light crude for April delivery was up 1.9% or $1.49 to settle at $79.66 a barrel. And, Brent crude on the ICE Futures exchange was up $1.30, or 1.7%to settle at $77.59 a barrel.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index shows encouraging results of U. S. economic situation by around 3 points. According to the U. S. Commerce Department’s report, GDP increased at a rate of 5.9 per cent in the fourth quarter.

"Everyone thought that crude was going to explode. They were waiting for another surge through $80 at the end of the day, but there was no follow-through”, said Tony Rosado, a broker with GA Global in New York.

Figures from the U. S. Energy Administration on Wednesday revealed that U. S. crude oil stockpiles increased by 3 million barrels the previous week.