Obama and Gasoline

US drivers paid an average of $3.72 per gallon Monday. That's the highest price ever on this date, according to auto club AAA, a shade above the $3.717 average on 20 August 2008. A year ago, the average was $3.578.

Retail gasoline prices have risen nearly 12% since 1 July, because of higher Crude Oil prices, and problems with refineries and pipelines that created temporary supply shortages in some regions. An increase in the price of ethanol, which is blended into gasoline, also contributed to the rise in pump prices.

Higher gas prices aren't what the sluggish economy needs, since any extra money that goes to fill gas tanks doesn't get spent at movie theaters or restaurants.

The pace of the increases has slowed considerably, however. Gas rose 19 cents in the two weeks ended Wednesday. It's up just 1 penny in the five days since. Gas costs about 26 cents more than a month ago and 14 cents more than a year ago, according to AAA, OPIS and Wright Express.

Across the US, prices range from a low of $3.43 per gallon in South Carolina to $4.32 in Hawaii. Arizona, Mississippi and New Mexico also have average prices below $3.50 per gallon, while California and Illinois are up above the $4 mark.

The price at the pump in the U.S. fell more than 60 cents per gallon during the spring as the global economy slowed and turmoil in the Middle East seemed to subside.

But Crude Oil has risen above $95 from a low of $78 bbl in late June. Investors have worried about disruption to oil supplies in the Middle East and North Sea. In the US, there were problems with refineries and pipelines in the West Coast and Midwest, including a fire in California.

Seasonal factors are also at play: Summer blends of gas cost more and demand goes up as families go on vacation.

Gas hit an all-time high of $4.11 gal in July 2008. But a plunge in Crude Oil prices knocked it down to $3.69 by the end of August.

Though the national average jumped back to $3.85 in mid-September when Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf Coast, it plummeted to $1.62 per gallon by year-end as the global recession took hold.

Monday, Crude Oil fell in New York trading after 4 days of gains on more concerns about Europe's economy. European leaders are beginning a series of discussions that could determine Greece's future and the stability of the 17 countries that use the Euro.

Benchmark oil dropped 36 cents to $95.65 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, dropped 10 cents to $113.63 per barrel in London.

Other futures prices on the New York Merc;

- Heating Oil increased was flat at $3.09 per gallon.

- Wholesale Gasoline rose 1 cent to $3.04 per gallon.

- Nat Gas rose 5 cents to $2.77 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr.

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. writes and publishes The Red Roadmaster's Technical Report on the US Major Market Indices, a weekly, highly-regarded financial market letter, read by opinion makers, business leaders and organizations around the world.

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr has studied the global financial and stock markets since 1984, following a successful business career that included investment banking, and market and business analysis. He is a specialist in equities/commodities, and an accomplished chart reader who advises technicians with regard to Major Indices Resistance/Support Levels.