SINGAPORE, July 22 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Thursday after an unexpected rise in U.S. crude oil inventories and as rising COVID-19 infections threaten demand, but prices held on to most of their gains from the previous session on expectations that supplies will remain tight through year-end.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund is estimating this month that global growth for 2021 will be about 6%, the same as forecast in April, but with some countries growing faster and others more slowly, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Wednesday.

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the rubber sector, and has given “an immediate and immense shock” to the industry since March 2020, according to the Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers’ Association (MRPMA), which estimates a 20% decline in the annual output of rubber products, which include automotive parts, tyres and tyre-related products.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s factory output likely rebounded in June from the prior month’s drop, while retail sales growth was expected to slow as new coronavirus infections dampened consumer confidence, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

SINGAPORE, July 22 (Reuters) - Asian stocks rallied on Thursday, bonds nursed losses and oil held onto sharp gains as investors seemed to set aside virus jitters for now and looked ahead to the European Central Bank for reassurance that policy support will continue for some time.

SINGAPORE, July 22 (Reuters) - Oil prices held on to most of their gains from the previous session on Thursday, as signs of stronger demand helped offset an unexpected rise in U.S. inventories.