Crude futures surged on Thursday, after President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a damaging price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia can be resolved. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery CL.1, 10.438% surged nearly $2, or 9.6%, to $22.80 a barrel, after slipping 0.8% to settle at $20.31 on Wednesday. June Brent crude BRNM20, 12.571% climbed $2.57, or 10%, to $27.30 a barrel, a day after the contract plunged 6.1% to $24.74 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe. The first quarter has been punishing for financial markets, with oil especially punished by a Russia-Saudi price war that is flooding the market with ... (full story)