crude prices

Anxiety that Iranian oil would soon be forced off European markets eased Thursday, sending crude prices below $100 a barrel for the first time this year. Here's how energy contracts traded.

French oil company Total said Friday that soaring crude prices boosted its third-quarter profits despite a weak dollar.

Pump prices fell another 6.8¢ the past week... finishing at $3.461. With crude prices staying down, the potential for more drops is fairly good.

Regionally was a mixed bag, with PADD 2 posting a and straight week of 10¢+ drops.

Gainers

• SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD) up 1.00% to $140.44. Investors moving back into gold as a safe haven investment, as crude prices still hover around $105 per barrel amid conflicts in Libya and a bus bombing in Jerusalem, despite an inventory increase last week.
  
  The higher oil prices add to uncertainty of a continued global recovery.
• United States Oil (NYSE: USO) up 0.74% to $42.24.

Stocks climbed Tuesday, with the blue chips gaining 124 points, as traders cheered optimistic news from Bank of America and crude prices crept lower.

Somewhat upbeat economic data, new tensions in Nigeria and reports that China plans to build up its reserves have lifted crude prices.

Gasoline prices have followed.

An international energy think tank says oil demand in developed countries likely peaked in 2005, well before the recession sent crude prices plummeting.

Shares of major oil companies fell sharply on Monday, as crude oil prices tumbled amid new reports that signaled continued consumer spending restraint.

A two-week rally in oil markets sputtered Tuesday and crude prices fell along with the stock market.

Oil and gasoline prices continued their push higher Wednesday on signs that the longest recession since World War II may be easing and that demand for energy could rebound.