US crude oil prices hit the $60 a barrel level on Tuesday for the first time since November while trade data from China helped push base metals higher as commodity markets continued to gain support from hopes for an early recovery for the global economy.
Nymex June West Texas Intermediate hit a high of $60.08 a barrel on Tuesday before easing back to trade 35 cents higher at $58.85, supported by dollar weakness and initial gains for equity markets.
