Gasoline prices holding

Gasoline prices at the pump held steady over the weekend, AAA Mid-Atlantic said today.

The average cost for a gallon of regular in Southeastern Pennsylvania stood at $3.20, the auto club said. The South Jersey price today was $3.00, and the national average was $3.13, AAA said.

Crude oil prices, meanwhile, rose Monday as China said exports in January surged, a sign that the global economy was gaining steam.

Benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery crude on Monday added 16 cents at $85.74 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London,

Brent crude added $1.89 at $102.83 per barrel on the ICE Futures Exchange.

China said that exports jumped 37.7 percent - more than double the rate in December - to $150.7 billion. A rise in Chinese exports suggests consumer demand is rising as well, and that could expand consumption of gasoline, diesel and other fuels.    - Inquirer staff and AP