energy prices

Cheaper Gas Lowers U.S. Consumer Prices 0.3%

The seasonally adjusted consumer price index dropped 0.3 percent in November from October, the Labor Department said Friday. Gas prices fell 7.4 percent, the steepest drop in nearly four years. That offset a 0.2 percent rise in food prices.

Oil Prices Retreat to Near $85 a Barrel Thanks to Plentiful Supply

Ample supplies helped send oil prices down to near $85 per barrel on Friday.Benchmark oil for December delivery was down 80 cents to $85.25 a barrel at late afternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil hasn't been that low since July 10.

Chevron Strategist: Era of Cheap Natural Gas Will End Soon

Right now, with the spread of fracking technology, America is in the midst of a natural gas boom that is keeping prices for the fuel low. But according to a key strategist at Chevron, the era of an abundance of cheap natural gas in the U.S. will be short-lived.

Home Heating Costs Set to Spike as Winter Gets Back to 'Normal'

Unlike last year, which for much of the nation featured "the winter that didn't come," this year is expected to bring only slightly warmer-than-usual temperatures and a record high for home heating oil prices. And that's bad news for one region of the country in particular.

Higher Gas Costs in August Push Consumer Price Index Higher

More expensive gas drove up consumer prices in August by the most in three years. But outside of energy costs, inflation was tame. The CPI rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% last month, the first increase since March and higher gas prices accounted for 80% of the increase.

Consumer Prices Hold Steady for Third Time in Four Months

U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in July from June, as a small drop in energy costs offset slightly higher food prices. The consumer price index hasn't changed since March, evidence that the weak economy is keeping inflation in check.

Is President Obama Trying to Kill King Coal?

Republican lawmakers are alleging that the EPA's new greenhouse gas regulations would kill the U.S. coal industry by making it too expensive to build new coal-fueled power plants. But even if that's true, how will it impact you?

Is U.S. One Step Closer to Tapping Oil Reserves?

President Obama on Wednesday appeared to raise the possibility that the U.S. would release oil from its strategic petroleum reserve to provide relief to Americans struggling with high gas prices. But is now the right time?

How Much Should You Worry About Inflation?

The inflation bells are ringing. You've seen the jump in prices at the grocery store, and, maybe more significantly, at the gas pump. But are these price hikes a sign that inflation is about to take off, or are they just temporary increases?

How Your Portfolio Can Profit From Higher Oil Prices

Skyrocketing prices don't have to bring only pain. Investors can also find some relief with investments that can benefit from oil's recent -- and likely future -- increases. Here are some ETFs and mutual funds worth considering, based on performance, risk and cost.

Oil and Food Prices Keep Rising, but It's Not Time for the Fed To Act

Unrest across the Middle East is pushing high oil prices higher, and that's having a cascade effect that feels a lot like inflation as these higher prices bubble through the economy. Still, that's not enough reason for the Fed to battle inflation by starting to raise rates.

Inflation Could Be a Lot Higher Than We Think

The Fed's next consumer price report out Thursday is likely to show a scant 0.3% rate in January. So why does it feel like prices everywhere are climbing noticeably? A different way of measuring inflation from MIT's Billion Prices Project provides an answer.

Is Oil Output Peaking or Not? Either Way, Cheap Oil Is Gone

Proponents of the peak-oil theory can muster studies and statistics backing their claim that declining global oil output is nigh. Critics point to new technologies and unconventional oil fields as saviors. Either way, a return to the days of $1.50-a-gallon gasoline isn't going to happen.

Small Changes That Could Save You Big Bucks

It's hard to make huge changes in your spending habits all at once. To reach your new year's resolution to manage your finances better, try small steps instead. Financial experts offer 10 easy suggestions that could help you spend less and save more in 2011.

Oil Industry Plans Record Spending in 2011

One would think that BP's massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill this year would have given pause to the global oil industry, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Companies in the sector are planning to spend a record $490 billion in 2011, including a large amount for deep-water development.

First Solar Forecasts
46% Higher Sales in 2011

First Solar, one of the world's biggest solar manufacturers, is looking toward 2011 with plenty of good cheer. According to its latest forecast, released Tuesday, the company expects sales to heat up some 46% in spite of lower subsidies in Germany, the world's largest solar market.

Record Wholesale Turkey Prices May Just Be the Beginning


Although retail prices for turkey have held steady, wholesale prices are hovering at around $1.09 per pound, a record high. Several factors are in play, but perhaps the biggest one comes from Washington, in the form of Federal Reserve monetary policy.

October's 0.4% PPI Increase: Enough for the Fed?

Producer prices rose less than expected, with much of the hike coming from energy. Excluding food and energy, PPI fell 0.6% in the month. Overall, wholesale prices are up just 1.5% in the past year -- still too close to deflation for the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Natural Gas Firm Exco Gets $4.4 Billion Offer to Go Private

Natural gas prices have been persistently sluggish lately, but it looks like deal-making is revving up: The latest offer comes from the CEO of Exco Resources, Douglas Miller, who has offered to buy the energy company for $20.50 per share or about $4.4 billion.

Mild Producer Price Hikes Ease Deflation Concerns

Producer prices rose a higher-than-expected 0.4% in September, but the core rate rose just 0.1%, the Labor Department said. The price increases point to a low-inflation environment, easing concerns that the world%u2019s largest economy will lapse into a dangerous deflationary spiral.

OPEC to Leave Oil Output Unchanged

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will leave oil output unchanged, a delegate at the group's current meeting told Reuters. Oil ministers apparently are not worried the weak dollar will drive up the price of crude far enough that it will crimp the global economic recovery.

Producer Prices Rise on Higher Energy Costs

Producer prices rose a slightly higher-than-expected 0.4% in August, but the core rate, which excludes food and energy, rose just 0.1%, the Labor Department said. The rises point to a low-inflation environment for the U.S. economy, easing concern that the world%u2019s largest economy will lapse into an unwanted period of deflation.

Winter Prediction: Extra Cold, But with Low Oil Prices

The mid-Atlantic region, hard hit last winter, will catch a break from the weather next time, says the Farmer's Almanac, but much of the rest of the U.S. will be colder than normal, New England in particular. For those who heat their homes with oil, however, lower prices should ease the season.

Economy Could Cast a Shadow on Solar Energy

President Obama's $2 billion booster shot for solar is surely good news for the green energy sector. But it may not be enough to counter the drag of a global economic stall that many see coming. Because when other energy prices fall, solar investment tends to dry up.

ExxonMobil Earnings Drop, but Beat Expectations

ExxonMobil's fourth quarter earnings fell 23% year-over-year, marking Exxon's fifth straight decline in quarterly profit. However, the world's largest public oil company beat analysts expectations, and shares are rising in early trading.