Main Topic: U.S. gas prices hit an eight-month high amid rising oil prices.
Key Points:
1. National average price for a gallon of regular unleaded climbed to $3.71, the highest level since November.
2. Gas prices are up by at least $0.15 cents in 16 states in the past week alone.
3. Surge in oil prices, production cuts by OPEC nations, and U.S. refinery outages contribute to the increase in gas prices.
Gas prices in California have increased throughout August and are expected to be high over the Labor Day weekend, with the average price for a gallon of gasoline at $5.26, up 8 cents from last week and 37 cents from a month ago, according to AAA.
Rising gasoline prices are impacting inflation-weary Americans.
European and U.S. natural gas prices rose due to concerns over supply from Australia and Norway, with maintenance at Norwegian gas fields and fears of a strike at Chevron's LNG facilities driving uncertainty.
Gas prices in the US are nearing $4 a gallon, up 60 cents since the start of the year, which could complicate the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates as it tries to rein in inflation.
Crude oil prices rose after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a larger-than-expected inventory decline of 10.6 million barrels for the week ending August 25.
The average retail price of regular gasoline in the United States has increased by 6% over the past five weeks, reaching $3.81 per gallon heading into the Labor Day weekend, due to factors such as oil production cuts, low gasoline inventories, and refinery maintenance.
Consumer prices in the US rose 0.2% from the previous month, and 3.3% annually, indicating persistent high inflation and posing a challenge to the Federal Reserve's efforts to curb it; core prices, which exclude food and energy, also increased 0.2% from the previous month and 4.2% from the previous year.
Inflation is expected to rise in August as oil and gasoline prices increase, putting pressure on the economy and potentially leading to higher interest rates and a stronger dollar.
Americans are expecting high inflation to persist over the next few years, with a median expectation of 3.6% one year from now and estimates of around 3% three years from now, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This suggests that sticky inflation may continue to be a concern, as it surpasses the Fed's 2% target. Consumers also anticipate price increases in necessities such as rent, gasoline, medical costs, and food, as well as college tuition and home prices.
The Consumer Price Index is expected to show an increase in inflation in August, with headline inflation rising to 3.6% and core inflation easing to 4.4%, but the market is accustomed to this trend and the Federal Reserve is unlikely to change its rates at the upcoming meeting.
Despite a spike in gas prices, the rise in inflation appears to be easing gradually, with core prices exhibiting a slower increase in August compared to July, suggesting that price pressures are being brought under control.
Inflation in the US accelerated for the second consecutive month in August due to rising costs of rent and gasoline, with the consumer price index rising 0.6% from the previous month and 3.7% from the same time last year.
Wholesale inflation in the US rose more than expected in August, with the producer price index increasing by 0.7%, the largest monthly gain since June 2022, counteracting recent data that suggested price increases had been slowing down.
Wholesale inflation in the US exceeded expectations in August, driven by higher gasoline prices, indicating that inflationary pressures are still present in the economy.
Retail sales in the US rose 0.6% in August compared to July, but the increase in gas prices could impact consumer spending during the holiday shopping season, according to a report from the Commerce Department. Excluding gas sales, retail sales only increased by 0.2% in August.
Producer prices rose more than expected in August, signaling further inflationary pressures due to a surge in energy costs.
Gasoline prices in the US have reached a record high for this time of year, posing a challenge to President Joe Biden's fight against inflation.
The unprecedented increase in fuel prices in Pakistan is expected to cause a significant rise in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index projected to reach as high as 30% to 32% in September 2023.
Economists predict that Canada's inflation rate is likely to increase to around four percent in August, mainly due to higher gasoline prices, reversing the previous progress made.
Gasoline prices are rising due to oil supply cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as flooding in Libya, but some experts believe that increasing oil prices will not have a significant impact on the US economy and do not expect them to rise much higher in the next year or two due to factors such as increased US oil production, slow global economic growth, and the green energy transition. However, high oil prices can lead to higher inflation, potential recession, and could influence the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, but the impact may not be as severe as in the past, and some experts recommend investing in the energy transition and adopting a more defensive investment strategy.
The average price of gasoline in the United States has risen to $3.881 per gallon, compared to $3.678 per gallon a year ago, due to refinery outages in the western United States.
Oil prices reach a 3-month high as OPEC maintains tight supply. Gas prices in the US rise, posing a threat to efforts against inflation.
Inflation in the UK fell to 6.7% in August, the lowest level in a year-and-a-half, driven by slower food price increases and a drop in hotel and air fare costs, although fuel prices rose; economists had expected the figure to increase due to rising fuel prices.
Oil prices reaching $95 per barrel, the highest level since November 2022, pose a setback for Rishi Sunak's goal of halving inflation, with analysts predicting a 7.1% rise in consumer prices in August due to petrol price increases, adding to inflationary pressures and potentially influencing the Bank of England's interest rate decision.
Gas prices in the US have slightly decreased due to the switch to less expensive winter blend gasoline, but the decline is being slowed by higher oil costs, with the potential for prices to spike as oil prices surge. The Federal Reserve is pausing interest rate hikes as inflation, driven by a surge in oil prices, increases, but future rate hikes could impact consumer debt, including car insurance. Some states saw significant shifts in gas prices, with Nevada experiencing the largest increase and California having the highest gas prices in the nation. Shopping for cheaper auto insurance can help lower car ownership costs.
Gas prices in the United States have risen, exceeding the highs of last year, with California having the highest prices due to high state taxes and issues at refineries, as well as a less competitive gasoline market caused by certain refineries controlling a large portion of the market.
Oil prices hit their highest levels in over a year as ongoing production cuts raise concerns about the global economy, while the specter of $100 oil looms and supply tightness becomes apparent with reduced stockpiles and increased refining. Higher interest rates may dampen crude demand, but for now, the focus remains on supply.
Higher gas prices drove an increase in an inflation gauge tracked by the Federal Reserve in August, but measures of underlying inflation slowed, suggesting overall price pressures are moderating and raising the likelihood that the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged in its next meeting; however, the combination of higher gas prices and sluggish income growth may weaken consumer spending and mark a slowdown from last summer's healthy pace of spending.
Fuel prices in Australia are rising, which could contribute to an increase in quarterly inflation, leading to concerns about the future of oil and the reliance on fossil fuels as efforts to reduce carbon emissions continue.
Gasoline prices have increased over time, but when adjusted for inflation and considered in relation to fuel efficiency and real wages, they are only marginally more expensive than in previous years, highlighting the often misleading nature of political rhetoric surrounding gas prices.
Gasoline prices are expected to drop significantly as crude oil prices decrease and demand remains low, with many areas already seeing falling prices due to the production of less expensive winter grade fuel and the lowest seasonal demand levels in 25 years.
U.S. gasoline prices are expected to decrease and may reach $3 per gallon due to a drop in crude oil futures, potentially benefiting consumers and cooling inflation but also indicating economic weakness with low gasoline demand.
Gas prices in the US have been falling, with the nationwide average dropping 7 cents in the past week and expected to decrease even further, potentially falling by 50 cents by the end of the month, due to a decrease in the cost of crude oil and a decline in demand.
US wholesale prices rose at the fastest pace since April, indicating persistent inflationary pressures despite higher interest rates, with producer prices increasing 2.2% from a year earlier and 0.5% from August to September.
Gasoline prices in the United States are expected to continue dropping, despite the Israel-Hamas conflict, due to seasonal trends and the country's domestic production capacity.
Oil prices rose around 1% on Thursday, supported by expectations that U.S. interest rates had peaked, but gains were limited by a lower demand growth forecast for next year from the International Energy Agency and higher U.S. inventories.
The Consumer Price Index rose 3.7% for the 12 months ended in September, with high gas prices and shelter costs contributing to inflation, although food prices matched overall inflation for the first time since early 2022, and underlying inflation trends are moving in the desired direction of the Federal Reserve.
