U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures finished higher on Thursday after OPEC and its allies announced that they have decided to gradually increase oil production by some 2 million barrels per day from May to July, moving cautiously in pace with the recovery of the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, May WTI crude oil settled at $61.45, up $2.02 or +3.40%. According to reports, the group known as OPEC+ is restoring production that was slashed last year to support prices as demand sagged during the worst of the pandemic recession, which sapped demand for fuel. The group will add back ... (full story)