Prices Jump at the Pump

By George Anderson

Oil prices reached a 28-month high yesterday as the prospect of a war in Iraq cast doubt on nations’ ability to meet their supply needs.

Reuters reported “U.S. oil prices rose as much as 28 cents from the New York close to $36.05 a barrel, the highest level since October 2000, after government data showed U.S. crude supplies had dropped to their lowest levels since the 1970s Arab oil embargo.”

Moderator’s Comment: How will higher prices at the
pump affect consumer attitudes and shopping behavior?

Two thoughts:

1. Talk of price gouging has already begun.


2. Kelley Blue Book recently released results of its New
   Vehicle-Buyer Attitude Study on SUVs. More than 50 percent of respondents
   felt the negative press from Arianna Huffington and others about SUVs and
   their owners is “hype.” More than seven in ten felt SUV critics “ignored the
   vehicle’s positive aspects.” We wonder how the results of the same study will
   change if prices at the pump go up to $2.50 or $3.00 a gallon. [George
   Anderson – Moderator]

• GLOBAL
  MARKETS-Oil jumps, stocks slide as global tensions mount – Reuters
• Consumers
  Believe SUV Criticism Is Hype According to New Study – Yahoo Business