Crude prices inched up on Friday as U. S. nonfarm payrolls data came in better than expected, despite ratings firm Fitch downgraded credit ratings of Italy and Spain.

Crude prices were lifted after the U.S. Labor Department said U. S. nonfarm payrolls for September rose by 103,000, better than the expected 60,000, and jobs added for August were also revised higher. However, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.1 percent, showing poor struggle at job markets.

Fitch on Friday cut Italy's rating, putting its long-term ratings outlook at negative. The agency also cut Spain's rating, citing risks of slow growth and high regional debt. European debt concerns kept weighing on crude prices.

Light, sweet crude for November delivery rose 39 cents, or 0.47 percent to settle at 82.98 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after hitting a high of 84.00 dollars a barrel. For this week, it surged 3.78 dollars, or 4.77 percent, bouncing back from the one-year low on Tuesday.

In London, Brent crude for November delivery added 15 cents to close at 105.88 dollars a barrel. For the week, it jumped 3.12 dollar, or 3.04 percent.

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