Vienna - The basket price of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reached a six-month high of 54.09 dollars at mid-week, as positive economic news from the United States pushed prices.

One barrel (158 litres) of crude oil produced by OPEC rose by 1.38 dollars on Wednesday, the oil cartel announced Thursday.

Markets were buoyed by leaks from a US government review of the health of the country's banks, which indicated better-than-expected results. The findings of the so-called stress test were scheduled to be released Thursday.

News that the rate of job losses in the US slowed down in April added further positive sentiment, Vienna-based analysts JBC Energy said.

OPEC calculates an average price based on 12 brands produced by its members. (dpa)