US crude oil at $56

Global oil prices took a respite yesterday, after surging in the past few sessions. While the Nymex U.S. light crude oil for May series fell $1.43 to $56.03 a barrel, the London Brent crude dropped 94 cents to close at $54.70 per barrel.

In the metal segment, the Comex gold rose 20 cents to settle at $431.60 an ounce.