Why Gas Prices Are Quick to Rise, Slow to Fall
As soon as oil prices rise, it takes little time before drivers begin to feel the pain at the pump. But it takes far longer for price decreases to reach consumers. Here's why.
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Market Snapshot: What's Thriving in Battered Economy
The economy has had more than its share of trouble lately: Japan's earthquake comes on top of rising oil and food prices, political turmoil in the Middle East and a crop of government austerity measures. But investing opportunities lie hidden behind the bad news.
Can U.S. Services Growth Outweigh High Oil Prices?
The U.S. services sector is growing strong, providing additional evidence that the U.S. economy is recovering and might not need more stimulus funding. But that's contingent upon oil staying below $120 per barrel.
Five Oil Stocks To Offset Your Pain at the Pump
Given the prospect of $4-plus gasoline this summer, what's an American to do? Beyond switching to a higher-MPG vehicle, you can consider buying some oil stocks with plenty of upside potential. Here are five candidates, if your risk appetite is hardy enough.
The Dow Jumps as Oil Dips and Banks Rally
After a rough opening session on Monday, stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday. The Dow enjoyed a triple-digit gain after oil prices eased and bank shares bounced higher on the possibility of further dividend payouts and share buybacks.
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.
As Oil Prices Rise, United Grounds Its Expansion Plans
As fuel prices rise, United Continental Holdings says it is scrapping plans to add flights this year and also plans to drop unprofitable routes.
Stocks Fall as Oil Prices Rise and Tech Weighs
Increasing violence in Libya caused oil prices to rise and stocks to fall 80 points to close at 12,090 on Monday. It didn't help that a Wells Fargo analyst also downgraded the semiconductor industry, sending shares of Intel down by 1.6%.
The Scariest Part of Soaring Oil Prices: Investors' Fears
Recent market sell-offs may have been more about paranoia than about real risk. JPMorgan calculations indicate that the potential impact of rising oil prices on the economy may be less than most investors think. But the fear factor itself also can't be overlooked.
Asian Markets Mixed Amid Rising Oil Prices and Japan's Political Shakeup
Markets in Asia reacted to a surge in the price of oil, which crossed the $106 per barrel today. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index dipped 0.4% and in Japan the Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 1.8%. Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Composite Index surged 1.8%.
Gas Prices Surge Again, Renewing Talk of a Double-Dip Recession
A gallon of regular gas climbed to $3.503 on Sunday -- nearly 38 cents higher than a month ago and up 15 cents in a week, renewing talk of a double-dip recession.
All Eyes Remain on Oil Prices and Mideast Instability
Last week, oil's ascent trumped a raft of healthy U.S. economic reports. With a relatively light slate of economic data scheduled this week, oil prices and political turmoil in the Middle East could play an even larger role in the trading sessions ahead. [Video]
Cuba's Deepwater Oil Could Be a Game Changer
The delivery of a Chinese-built, Spanish-backed offshore oil rig to Cuban waters has been delayed until summer. But when drilling does begin 90 miles off the Florida coast, it could mean a host of problems -- and opportunities -- on the energy and the political fronts.
Unemployment Rate Falls,
but Stocks Slip on Oil
During a volatile week, stocks bounced between Mideast turmoil and generally strong economic reports. Even with the jobless rate's surprising drop, equities ended on a down note. Still, stocks eked out a tiny overall gain on the week. [Video]
The Fix for High Oil Prices? Regulate the Speculators
As the crisis in Libya continues to shake world oil markets, many voices are calling for President Obama to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. With gasoline prices up 33 cents a gallon in the last month, that's a tempting idea. It's also the wrong one.
Soaring Oil Sends Stocks Sliding and Gold to a Record
The first trading day of the month is usually good to equities, but after a two-day respite, stocks went back back to broad-based declines. The sharp rise in oil prices overshadowed some encouraging corporate and economic news.
U.S. Approves First Deepwater Drilling Permit in Gulf Since BP Oil Spill
The U.S. has approved the first permit to resume deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since the BP oil spill a year ago. The Noble Energy project, 70 miles southeast of Venice, La., is slated to be deeper than the blown out BP well.
Why Gas Prices Keep Rising After Oil Prices Have Slid
Oil prices fell below $97 per barrel Monday -- from more than $100 a few days ago -- on reports that Libya's still exporting oil. But gasoline prices continued to rise, jumping 8 cents over the weekend.
Surprising Facts About the U.S. and Oil
You probably have heard that the U.S. is the world's largest consumer of oil. But did you know that we're also the third-largest producer of oil? And yes, the U.S. imports more than half its oil. But our two biggest suppliers are our nearest neighbors.
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.
This Week's Market:
'Time to Be a Little Careful'
The market suffered its biggest swoon since August last week as chaos swept Libya and oil prices hit multiyear highs. With the geopolitical landscape uncertain for the foreseeable future, don't be surprised if stocks come under further selling pressure in the days ahead. [Video]
Stocks Snap Losing Streak as Oil Prices Stabilize
It was a rough (even if short) week on Wall Street. But at least the Dow ended higher after losing more than 300 points in the previous three days. Some month-end bargain-hunting also helped stem the slide. [Video]
Natural Gas: A Cure for America's Crazy Oil Addiction
Events in the Mideast have, once again, revealed the U.S. economy's vulnerability to an oil shock. Now more than ever, the nation must reduce its consumption of oil, especially from abroad, and become energy self-sufficient. And the way to do it is with our abundant domestic sources of natural gas.
Libya Hits Stocks and Oil Prices for a Second Day
Stocks fell again on Wednesday, and oil prices briefly crossed the $100-a-barrel mark after violence escalated in Libya. Oil traders are spooked about the possible spread of turmoil. Tech bellwether HP's disappointing outlook also hurt.
What Do Rising Oil Prices Mean for U.S. Economic Growth?
What might happen to the price of oil and how will this affect U.S. economic growth? Here are three possible scenarios.
Stocks Plunge and Oil Spikes
on Libya Turmoil
The Dow suffered a steep triple-digit loss Tuesday as turmoil in Libya ignited a global sell-off in stocks. Oil prices rose sharply, as did safe-haven assets such as Treasurys and the dollar. Disappointing news from Walmart didn't help matters.
The Trade Deficit's Untold Story: Rising Exports
The U.S. trade gap widened to just under $500 billion in 2010, but that obscures impressive growth in global sales of U.S. goods. And the outlook for 2011 is even better. Still, to reach a trade surplus, America must solve two serious problems.
Natural Gas Can Be America's Fuel of the Future
Unless there's a breakthrough in battery technology, gasoline will remain the primary auto fuel in the U.S. for years. But our dependence on imported oil comes with a major risk of supply disruption. And the U.S. has a domestic alternative that's ready and reliable: natural gas.
Oil Prices Are Likely to Drop Before They Rally Again
With an oversupply of oil on the market and OPEC afraid that higher prices will impair the U.S. recovery and sap demand, the fundamentals point to an oil price drop in the near term. Yes, markets move on emotion, and fears about unrest in Egypt have reversed that downward price trend, but the drop is probably coming.