Recent Updates
- China: GDP (Q1)
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- more updates...
Economy in Brief
U.S. Housing Affordability Fell Back in February, but Still in Recent Range
The NAR U.S. Fixed Rate Mortgage Housing Affordability Index decreased 7.6% (-1.4% y/y) in February to 173.1...
European New Car Registrations Remarkably Strong Yet Forgettable
Car registrations are not going to be the only statistic that bears these dual and seemingly dueling characteristics...
U.S. Retail Sales Soar in March
Total retail sales including food service and drinking establishments increased 9.8% (27.7% y/y) during March...
U.S. Industrial Production Rebounded in March
Industrial production rebounded in March, rising 1.4% m/m (+1.0% y/y)...
U.S. Home Builder Index Edges Higher in April
The NAHB-Wells Fargo Composite Housing Market Index rose 1.2% to 83 during April...
Viewpoints
Commentaries are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the views of Haver Analytics.
by Tom Moeller February 27, 2018
Retail gasoline prices slipped to $2.55 per gallon last week (+10.1% y/y) from $2.56 per gallon during the prior week. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The seasonally-adjusted price fell to $2.70 per gallon from $2.77.
WTI crude oil prices rebounded to $62.48 per barrel last week (15.7% y/y), and more-than-reversed the prior week's decline. Prices rose further yesterday to $63.91 per barrel. Brent crude oil prices increased to $65.52 per barrel last week and rose to $67.96 yesterday.
Natural gas prices improved to $2.60/mmbtu last week (2.7% y/y) and were $2.59/mmbtu yesterday.
In the week ended February 9, gasoline demand increased 5.4% y/y, while total petroleum product demand improved 4.3% y/y. Gasoline inventories declined 2.8% y/y, while inventories of all petroleum products fell 8.8% y/y. Crude oil input to refineries improved 3.6% y/y in the last four weeks.
The energy price data are reported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The petroleum demand and inventory figures are from the Oil & Gas Journal Weekly. These data can be found in Haver's WEEKLY database. The daily figures are in DAILY and greater detail on prices, demand and production, along with regional breakdowns, are in OILWKLY.
Weekly Energy Prices | 02/26/18 | 02/19/18 | 02/12/18 | Y/Y % | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Retail Gasoline ($ per Gallon, Regular) | 2.55 | 2.56 | 2.61 | 10.1 | 2.47 | 2.31 | 2.03 |
Light Sweet Crude Oil, WTI ($ per bbl.) | 62.48 | 60.47 | 62.01 | 15.7 | 50.87 | 43.22 | 48.90 |
Natural Gas ($/mmbtu, LA, WSJ) | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.72 | 2.7 | 2.96 | 2.49 | 2.62 |