Exxon Mobil Corp's fourth-quarter profit rose nearly 2 percent due to higher crude oil prices.

The company posted net income of $9.4 billion, or $1.97 per share, compared with $9.25 billion, or $1.85 per share, in the year-ago period.

Total revenue rose 16 percent to $121.61 billion.

Oil companies around the world benefited from a jump in oil prices. Crude futures traded in New York jumped about 25 percent to end the fourth quarter at $98.83 per barrel. Brent prices gained 5 percent during the quarter.

(Reporting By Ernest Scheyder, editing by Dave Zimmerman)