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Gas Prices Level Off, May Have Peaked

High supply, falling demand will ease prices, say experts

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 11, 2012 6:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Gas prices are holding steady at $3.92 a gallon, and that could be on the verge of coming down, reports USA Today. With a key benchmark falling to a two-month low yesterday and growing signs of a global economic slowdown, experts think pump prices will fall short of the most dire predictions, as well as short of last year's $3.99 high and the all-time record of $4.11 set in 2008. Already in pricier markets, such as Chicago and Los Angeles, prices have dropped as much as 20 cents per gallon.

"By the behavior of the market, things are just running out of steam," says an analyst for price tracker gasbuddy.com. "Barring any major event—refinery problems, Iran—I think prices have peaked." Although prices typically peak each year around Memorial Day, analysts think they could fall to $3.70 by early May. "Even if demand were to surge, we have flush supplies, a lot of refining capacity, and repeated assurances that Saudi Arabia would step in and hike production if there are problems with Iran," says another industry tracker.

Gas prices are posted at a gas station in Breezewood, Pa., Monday, April 9, 2012. Gasoline prices in the U.S. fell by about a penny over the weekend to $3.927 per gallon.
Gas prices are posted at a gas station in Breezewood, Pa., Monday, April 9, 2012. Gasoline prices in the U.S. fell by about a penny over the weekend to $3.927 per gallon.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
Sterling_Archer
Apr 11, 2012 4:00 PM CDT
Rats.  Gas prices stop rising.  Unemployment goes down.  The economy continues to improve.  Improved foreign relations.  Wars ending or scaling back.  Real threats to American security being eliminated by a competent commander-in-chief.  I'm beginning to worry the Republicants won't have anything to use to scare the American voters with this election cycle.  Wait, wait.  Are we SURE that's the President's REAL birth certificate?!?!
bobinski
Apr 11, 2012 3:05 PM CDT
all this does is set the expection higher so the gas prices can get to a even higher point like obama wants.
ERICAIELLO
Apr 11, 2012 10:20 AM CDT
I can remember back in 2008 when everyone @ Faux Noise was shilling for GWB that gas prices had nothing to do with the POTUS.....ahhh the good old days, right NDT?
 

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