Energy prices settled higher Oct. 20 amid signs of progress on a US coronavirus stimulus bill, but demand outlooks remained under pressure amid renewed social restrictions in Europe. NYMEX November WTI settled 63 cents higher at $41.46/b and ICE December Brent climbed 54 cents to settle at $43.16/b. Oil prices, which were trading in negative territory early in the session, turned higher midday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was “optimistic” that a stimulus bill could be passed ahead of the November elections. “House Speaker Pelosi’s stimulus deadline initially seemed unlikely to yield a breakthrough, but Republicans seem to be making some large concessions,” OANDA senior market analyst Edward Moya said in a note. “A […]