Traders also said that futures-related buy programs lifted prices across a broad front late in the session.
Even the strong corporate earnings that have been reported recently have failed to lift prices.
For two years, Mexico has worked with other oil-producing nations to lift prices, and their efforts have borne fruit.
Whoever did it, the move lifted prices, and spirits.
The failure to agree is expected to end an oil rally that has lifted prices by nearly 50 percent since January.
Small shops are wasteful, lifting prices 20 percent higher than in big stores.
The strength in heating fuels lifted prices for crude oil and gasoline.
Hot weather and Soviet rumors lifted futures prices of farm products.
Aggressive commercial buying lifted prices a little, but not enough to prevent sharp losses.
The sign of a weak economy also sent the dollar lower and lifted prices in the credit markets.