Steady improvements in the U.S. labor market, coupled with militant threats against a major OPEC producer, helped support a soft rally in oil prices Friday. The U.S. Labor Department reported Friday that total non-farm payrolls jumped 261,000 last month, with food services and restaurant employment offsetting any of the declines that came as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. That beats the estimate early this week from payroll processor ADP, which reported private-sector employment increased by 235,000 from September to October The federal government added that those employed part-time because of economic reasons declined by 369,000 in October, another indication of post-hurricane resilience. More jobs means growing demand for energy products, something traders are watching for in oil […]