Global| Apr 02 2019U.S. Gasoline & Crude Oil Prices Continue to Rise; Natural Gas Costs Trend Lower
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
U.S. retail gasoline prices increased this week to $2.69 per gallon (-0.3% y/y), up from the low of $2.24 early in January. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The [...]
U.S. retail gasoline prices increased this week to $2.69 per gallon (-0.3% y/y), up from the low of $2.24 early in January. Haver Analytics constructs factors adjusting for the seasonal variation in gasoline pump prices. The seasonally-adjusted price rose to $2.73 per gallon, the highest level since October.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices were little-changed w/w at an average of $59.49 (-8.5% y/y) per barrel. Prices have been rising since the low of $44.55 per barrel in late-December but remained below the high of $75.11 early in October. Yesterday, prices strengthened to $61.59. Brent crude oil prices held steady w/w at an average of $67.59 per barrel, up from a late-December low of $52.36. They were $69.01 yesterday.
Natural gas prices declined to an average of $2.71/mmbtu last week (+1.5% y/y). Prices were below the November high of $4.67/mmbtu. The price was $2.74 yesterday.
In the four-weeks ending March 22, gasoline demand declined 1.9% y/y, while total petroleum product demand was little changed y/y. Gasoline inventories eased 0.4% y/y, while inventories of all petroleum products rose 0.9% y/y. Crude oil input to refineries declined 2.8% y/y in the last four weeks.
These data are reported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The price data can be found in Haver's WEEKLY and DAILY databases. Greater detail on prices, as well as the demand, production and inventory data, along with regional breakdowns, are in OILWKLY
| Weekly Energy Prices | 4/1/19 | 3/25/19 | 3/18/19 | Y/Y % | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Gasoline ($ per Gallon Regular, Monday Price, End of Period) | 2.69 | 2.62 | 2.55 | -0.3 | 2.27 | 2.47 | 2.31 |
| Light Sweet Crude Oil, WTI ($ per bbl, Previous Week's Average) | 59.49 | 59.38 | 57.81 | -8.5 | 64.95 | 50.87 | 43.22 |
| Natural Gas ($/mmbtu, LA, Previous Week's Average) | 2.71 | 2.86 | 2.89 | 1.5 | 3.18 | 2.99 | 2.51 |
Tom Moeller
AuthorMore in Author Profile »Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio. Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984. He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C. In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists. Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.
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