The reasons are so absurdly simply that people who don't understand them probably can't learn them.
One of the more interesting possibilities here is that the uptick in manufacturing probably reflects yet another productivity improvement driven spell of deflation.
Now that's even more complex so I don't imagine most of the folks on most discussion boards to have the slightest idea of that kind of linkage.
“The refined gasoline price always lags behind the crude oil price.”
Yes, by about six months.
On the other hand, someone poots in the Middle East and gas goes up 20 cents.
Only when the price of crude is dropping. When it goes up gas price goes up the same day even though the gas in the station's tank was purchased at the lesser price. Not really a complaint, gas station owners gotta eat too, but it's still a shady practice. I try to stick with Murphy's or Sam's - they seem to keep it relatively honest.