[MindBender26]

Forbes.com

“Brent crude oil contracts for March, “the global benchmark,” hit their highest level since late 2008 at $99.63 per barrel on January 28.”

Spot a few min ago was $103.22

[nascarnation]

I’m sure $4 (or maybe $5) gasoline will work well for Baraq’s re-election campaign, no?

[SAJ]

Spot Brent just now is a bit of an aberration. The extraordinarily cold European winter has caused severe upward pressure on every type of fuel imaginable. The European refiners have had to pre-sign for fuel to process.

The degree to which Brent prices have spiked is unprecedented; Brent is nearly $14/bbl over WTI. This will NOT last until summer, but in the meantime is terribly expensive for Europe.

Oh, yes, and I'd be very chary of putting too much faith in the writer you cite. Brent is no more "the world benchmark" than the Pope is Jewish. The financial benchmark is still WTI; the practical benchmark is the OPEC basket of crudes. WTI is on its way out, though, and high time, too.

Which page do you use for real-time spot mkts on the weekends? I can always use another good price page. TIA!