SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar was on the back foot on Wednesday as the slowing spread of the coronavirus and moves to re-open economies supported the investor mood, ahead of major central bank meetings.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - U.S. oil prices jumped on Wednesday, trimming some of this week’s losses, after U.S. stockpiles rose less than expected and on expectations demand will increase as some European countries and U.S. cities moved to ease coronavirus lockdowns.

SYDNEY/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian shares rose for a third session on the trot on Wednesday as investors took heart from easing coronavirus lockdowns in some parts of the world while oil prices jumped on hopes demand will pick up.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s factory activity likely rose for a second straight month in April as more businesses re-opened from strict lockdowns implemented to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which has now paralysed the global economy.

U.S. benchmark oil prices finished with a loss on Tuesday, giving up an earlier spike to intraday highs on the back of a report of a bomb explosion on an oil tanker in Syria.

TOKYO/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Most Asian shares made gains while U.S. stock futures fell on Tuesday amid choppy trade as a renewed decline in oil prices partially offset optimism about the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions.