ORANGE COUTNY, Fla. — Analysts say most of the United States, including Florida, will experience a slow decline in gas prices after the price of oil fell, giving drivers some relief at the pump.
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However, they cautioned that any decrease has a high chance of being temporary.
Oil prices peaked Thursday around $130 per barrel. Since then, prices have dropped to $100 as hopes for an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine have increased.
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“The drop will be slow, but has already started,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan tweeted. “National average down 4c/gal since Thursday.”
De Haan warned that gas would continue to fall slower than oil because gas stations ate much of the costs as prices quickly rose. Competition prevents them from raising prices as fast as the market, he explained, which means they must make up for lost profits on the decline.
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AAA analysts predicted that if oil prices remain steady, Central Florida’s pump prices may fall to $4.15 per gallon by the end of the week.
However, the violently swinging market may bring any sense of optimism to a halt. Should talks between the two countries break down or a major attack, like the use of chemical weapons, occur, fears may send oil prices skyrocketing again.
“I do think there is risk we could go higher in the weeks ahead,” De Haan said.
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