Oil futures went up on Monday after the government reported high factory orders, giving investors some hope that the economy will move away from a recession that would have an effect on demand for energy. The Commerce Department said factory orders jumped by 2.3% in December, more than analysts had expected.

Analysts concern that the oil market's overall tendency remains negative. Light, sweet crude for March delivery rose 94 cents to $89.90 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after briefly rising above $90. Friday's Labor Department reported that employers cut payrolls by 17,000 jobs last month, the first reduction in more than four years.  That report pushed prices down by $2 on Friday's session.

Other energy futures were mixed on Monday. Natural gas futures fell 8 cents to $7.66 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, Brent crude futures rose 83 cent to $90.27 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

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