February 3, 2010 -  Six weeks ago, the December 23, 2009 issue of This Week in Petroleum focused on the declining trend in gasoline prices from early November through mid-December. However, gasoline prices soon reversed course, and rose more than 16 cents in the following three weeks, before, once again, turning downward. These fluctuations highlight the difficulty of forecasting short run movements, as well as the complexity and occasional unpredictability of petroleum markets.

Petroleum product price movements are influenced in part by underlying crude oil markets, as well as by additional influences on a particular product market that can either offset or amplify the effect of changes in crude oil prices. Thus, if crude oil prices are stable, gasoline prices tend to rise in the spring and decline in the fall, in concert with the gasoline supply/demand balance, while prices for heating fuels generally do the opposite...more (this link will take you to the Energy Information Administration website)

December 22, 2009 – Trucking costs for pick-up and deliveries in the Greater Vancouver
area will increase substantially during the upcoming Olympics (February 12-28, 2010).
Costs will be impacted by increased congestion as well as government restrictions and
guidelines on pickup and delivery times. Due to the poor economy the trucking industry
has little or no profit margin and is in no position to absorb these additional costs.
Trucking companies serving the area may need to assess increased rates or an
operational surcharge in order to recoup at least a portion of these increased costs...more