FTSE 100 LIVE: Oil prices rise on supply cut hopes amid easing of coronavirus lockdown

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 3.2 percent, or $1.06, to $34.31 a barrel as of 4.29am GMT, just off an intra-day high of $34.33. There was no WTI settlement on Monday because of the US Memorial Day holiday. Brent crude futures were up nearly 1.7 percent, or 59 cents to $36.12, adding to a 1.1 percent gain on Monday in thin holiday trading.

The market was buoyed by comments from Russia reporting its oil output had nearly dropped to its target of 8.5 million barrels per day (bpd) for May and June under its supply cut deal with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other leading producers, a grouping known as OPEC+.

“There’s definitely a feeling those cuts have come through as well as you could expect,” said Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.

OPEC+ countries are set to meet again in early June to discuss maintaining their supply cuts to shore up prices, which are still down around 45 percent since the start of the year. The big producers agreed in April to cut output by nearly 10 million bpd for May and June.

Russia’s energy ministry on Monday quoted minister Alexander Novak as saying a rise in fuel demand should help cut the current global surplus of around 7-12 million bpd by June or July.

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7.08am update: Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 

Japan’s stock exchange is currently up from yesterday following the end of the state of emergency in the country. 

At the time of writing, the stock exchange is currently at 21,290.98, 549.85 points up. 

Additional reporting by Rachel Russell. 

6.04am update: Japan shares hit 10-week peak

Asian shares forged ahead on Tuesday while US stock futures challenged a major chart barrier as investors looked past Sino-US trade tensions to more stimulus in China and a re-opening world economy.

Japan’s Nikkei index the way with a rise of 2 percent to its highest since early March when the economic impact of the coronavirus was just becoming clear.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS added 1.4 percent, while South Korea rose 1.1 percent.

While Wall Street had been shut on Monday, E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1 climbed 1.3 percent to test the 3,000 level. EUROSTOXX 50 futures STXEc1 added 0.6 percent and FTSE futures FFIc1 1.8 percent.

Chinese blue chips firmed 0.8 percent after the country’s central bank said it would strengthen economic policy and continue to push to lower interest rates on loans.