As of 5:45 a.m. Eastern Time on July 20, 2026, oil sold for $88.22 per barrel (using Brent as the benchmark, which we'll get into momentarily). That's $2.78 lower than yesterday morning and approximately an $18.39 rise over the past year.
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It's impossible to predict the future of oil prices. Several factors determine the movement of oil, but it ultimately boils down to supply and demand. Again, when threats of economic downturn, war, etc. are high, the oil trajectory can turn rapidly.
When you pay for gas at the pump, you're paying for more than just the crude oil itself; you're also springing for links along the chain, such as the refineries and wholesalers—not to mention taxes and local gas station markups.
Still, the crude oil aspect affects the final price most dramatically, as it typically accounts for more than half the price per gallon. When oil prices spike, so do gas prices. And frustratingly, when oil prices drop, gas prices tend to take their time drifting down to the lower price (sometimes referred to as "rockets and feathers").
In case of emergency, the U.S. has a store of crude oil known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Its primary purpose is energy security in case of disaster (think sanctions, severe storm damage, even war). But it can also go a long way toward softening crippling price hikes during supply shocks.
It's not a long-term answer—more of an immediate relief to assist the consumer and keep critical parts of the economy running, like key industries, emergency services, public transportation, etc.
Oil and natural gas are both major energy fuels. A big change in oil prices can affect natural gas by extension. For example, if oil prices increase, some industries may swap natural gas for some segments of their operations where possible—which increases demand for natural gas.
Source: Yahoo Finance Top News — This article was automatically imported from the source. Read full article at original source →
