Airlines stocks begin the week solidly in the green, following the broader stock market higher with shares of Continental Airlines leading the way. Full Story

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Crude futures rose Monday to their highest level since last October, as gains in U.S. stocks and optimism about a rebound in the global economy boosted energy prices.

Natural-gas futures also rose, recovering some ground after falling to a seven-year low in the previous session.

Light sweet crude for October delivery gained 71 cents, or 1%, to $74.61 a barrel in electronic trading on Globex.

The contract hit an intraday high of $74.81 a barrel on Globex, the highest level for a front-month contract since late October.

"We could now easily move towards the $80 mark if the growing enthusiasm about the budding economic recovery continues to dominate sentiment," wrote Edward Meir, analyst at MF Global, in a note to clients.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Energy stocks rose in early action on Monday as the sector stayed hot to kick off the new week with gains. Crude futures advanced 55 cents to $74.44 and the S&P 500 rose 0.5%, providing a double lift for energy stocks. The NYSE Arca Oil Index... Full Story

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