Crude futures settled at fresh nine-month highs Dec. 18 as the US moved closer to greenlighting a second COVID-19 vaccine. NYMEX January WTI settled 70 cents higher at $49.24/b, and ICE February Brent was up 76 cents at $52.26/b. Front-month settled at the highest since Feb. 25, while front-month Brent was last stronger on Feb. 26. NYMEX January RBOB settled 75 points higher at $1.3956/gal, and January ULSD was up 1.78 cents at $1.5130/b. A US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Dec. 17 voted to approve Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for the agency to issue emergency authorization. “Crude prices are rising again as Moderna’s COVID vaccine […]