Global crude oil prices trade mixed on easing coronavirus restrictions

Global crude oil prices were trading mixed yesterday, as optimism about the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions reassured markets, but traders remained cautious with storage capacities filling up fast and supply cuts not deep enough to counter falling demand.

So Brent crude oil futures gained 41 cents, to 20.40 dollars a barrel. But US crude oil futures fell 78 cents, to trade at 12 dollars a barrel.

From Italy to New Zealand,



governments announced the easing of restrictions, although Britain said its too dangerous to relax a lockdown for fear of a deadly second outbreak. More parts of the United States looked set to restart business.

German retailers, today, sought to persuade the government to let all stores operate normally from May 4, saying the decision to only allow smaller stores to open was confusing for customers.