Oil climbed to the highest since February as U.S. lawmakers discuss a virus relief deal that could provide a near-term boost to demand ahead of a wider distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine. U.S. benchmark crude futures rose 1.1% on Thursday in tandem with a broader market gain. Weak labor market data stoked optimism that Congressional leaders will finalize another round of fiscal stimulus. Meanwhile, European authorities were said to be expediting a vaccine roll-out before Christmas. “Stimulus is a big driver,” said Gary Cunningham, a director at Stamford, Connecticut-based Tradition Energy. “As we see more stimulus money coming through Congress, it brings more certainty to U.S. economic conditions improving and folks getting back to more free spending.” Still, the road to normal oil demand remains shaky as virus cases spike around the world, leading to tougher restrictions that hamper mobility. […]