Economy

“Food prices jump 20.7% yr/yr to hit record high in Feb, U.N. agency says”

“World food prices hit a record high in February, led by a surge in vegetable oils and dairy products, to post a 20.7% increase year-on-year, the U.N. food agency said on Friday…FAO said its vegetable oils index rose 8.5% month-on-month… Continue Reading…

Energy

“Oil Traders Bet Prices Will Pass $200 a Barrel This Month”

“Traders piled into options that oil could surge even further after rising to the highest since 2008, with some even placing low-cost bets that futures surpass $200 before the end of March… Prices to buy call options at higher prices… Continue Reading…

Economy, Energy

“…Americans are warned to budget for $5-A-GALLON gas as oil prices surge during Russian invasion of Ukraine and US national average rises to $3.61”

“Americans can expect to see gas prices to rise to $5 a gallon in the coming weeks, as the cost of oil continues to rise in the days following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experts say – and some parts of California… Continue Reading…

Economy, Energy

“Energy Prices Surge on Ukraine With Oil Closing In on $100”

“European natural gas led the gains with as much as 13% rise, helped higher by Germany halting the approval process of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Brent oil closed in on $100 a barrel, and power and coal prices… Continue Reading…

Economy, Energy

“Here comes $7 gas prices, warns oil strategist in dire outlook”

“Drivers best start bracing for another surge in gas prices amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and years of under-investment by the oil industry, warns one veteran energy strategist. “My guess is that you are going to see $5… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Most small businesses since 1974 are hiking prices to offset red-hot inflation”

“…The National Federation of Independent Businesses, a Tennessee-based association of small business owners, found that the net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose to 61% in January, a four-point increase from the previous month and the highest reading… Continue Reading…

Economy, Energy

“Oil Market Keeps Getting Stronger as Prices Power Up to $93”

“The market’s structure is trading at its strongest level in years, indicating scarce supply. Diesel — the fuel that helps power the global economy — is also surging as a cold snap hits the U.S and demand soars. Inventories at… Continue Reading…

Economy

“‘Farms Are Failing’ as Fertilizer Prices Drive Up Cost of Food”

“From South America’s avocado, corn and coffee farms to Southeast Asia’s plantations of coconuts and oil palms, high fertilizer prices are weighing on farmers across the developing world, making it much costlier to cultivate and forcing many to cut back… Continue Reading…

Stocks

“Stocks slide on inflation concerns as oil prices rise further”

“…Strong U.S. and European corporate results could not stop a slide on Wall Street, where the Nasdaq entered a correction, as rising crude prices kept inflation concerns alive even as bond yields eased a bit after earlier touching fresh multiyear… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Retail sales dropped 1.9% in December as higher prices caused consumers to curb spending”

“…The advance monthly sales report to close out the year showed a decline of 1.9%, considerably worse than the Dow Jones estimate for just a 0.1% drop. Excluding autos, sales fell 2.3%, a number that also fell well short of… Continue Reading…