Global markets lifted by oil surge

Global optimism lifted equity markets Thursday, fuelled by oil breaking through $50 for the first time this year, but Wall Street drifted lower on profit-taking. Higher oil prices boosted the profits, revenues and share prices of energy companies and Asian stock markets were first to feel the benefit, with energy stocks in Europe and the US also attracting strong buying interest. In Europe, Frankfurt, London and Paris extended Wednesday's gains that were won on the back of a financing deal for G