By Corrie Driebusch Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- International companies trading in New York closed higher Friday as oil futures rocketed up to nine-month highs on fears about a possible supply disruption due to Iran tensions. The Bank of New York index of ADRs rose 0.5% to 133.18 as oil companies gained. Light, sweet crude futures rose for the seventh-straight session to as high as $109.95 a barrel as concerns grew that the stand-off between Iran and Western countries would lead to shortages. Oil and gas company BG Group PLC's (BRGYY, BG.LN) stock rose 2.2% to $24.50, Statoil ASA (STO, STL.OS) climbed 1.7% to $28.19 and Repsol YPF SA (REPYY, REP.MC) added 1.4% to $27.77. The European index gained 0.5% to 121.88. Nokia Corp. (NOK, NOK1V.HE) shares traded up 4.7% to $5.80 amid market speculation about the nature of the company's upcoming "significant industry news" to be delivered at the Mobile World Congress, said Jyske Bank analyst Robert Jakobsen. He speculated the news may be regarding new camera technology or a phone that can take on the mid-market segment where Nokia has been losing share. The agenda-setting event kicks off next week. The Asian index jumped 0.7% to 131.11. Gushan Environmental Energy Ltd. (GU) shares surged 21% to $1.49 after it said its board of directors received a preliminary nonbinding proposal letter from its chairman to acquire all the company's outstanding shares for $1.599 each. 51job Inc.'s (JOBS) fourth-quarter revenue rose nearly 23% year over year as online recruitment services revenue increased. Shares of the human-resource services provider gained 12% to $50.64. The Latin American index rose 0.6% to 382.82. Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB (OMAB, OMA.MX), known as OMA, reported its fourth-quarter aeronautical and nonaeronautical revenue grew 29%. Shares added 3.5% to $16.56. The emerging markets index added 0.6% to 315.71. Metals shares gained as the sector saw buying on hopes commodity prices will rally following a jump in global crude oil prices over the past few weeks. Sterlite Industries Ltd. (SLT, 500900.BY) gained 4.8% to close at $9.78. -By Corrie Driebusch, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2143; corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com
