Gasoline futures are climbing in response to signs of unseasonably strong demand for the fuel. Prices surged 5.9% last week to a three-month high after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that gasoline demand was the highest in more than five years. Gasoline prices usually fall in the winter as bad weather keeps drivers off the road. However, an improving U.S. economy and appetite overseas for relatively cheaper U.S. gasoline have led to stronger-than-expected demand this year. “It’s been a huge momentum shift” as market watchers switched their focus from high gasoline production to demand growth, said Jim Ritterbusch , president of energy-advisory firm Ritterbusch & Associates. “The macroeconomic guidance has been positive for gasoline demand,” Mr. Ritterbusch said, citing gains in the U.S. economy and lower unemployment. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said it would scale back its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases, signaling that the economy […]