Crude prices fell $5.31, to $129.18 a barrel, bringing the three-day skid to nearly $18 (the all-time record high was on Friday, at $147.27). Here's the Bloomberg story. This was no doubt a factor in the Dow climbing more than 200 points. So what gives? Beyond all kinds of technical factors and a lessening of tensions with Iran, the basic explanation is sluggish demand (even from China) that has kept buyers on the sidelines. A report earlier this week said that oil prices might have peaked at $147.27. There's no way to know where this might be headed, but for what it's worth CNBC contributor John Kilduff said that going under $131 would be a big deal. We’ll see.
More by Mark Lacter:
American-US Air settlement with DOJ includes small tweak at LAXSocal housing market going nowhere fast
Amazon keeps pushing for faster L.A. delivery
Another rugged quarter for Tribune Co. papers
How does Stanford compete with the big boys?
Those awful infographics that promise to explain and only distort
Best to low-ball today's employment report
Further fallout from airport shootings
Crazy opening for Twitter*
Should Twitter be valued at $18 billion?
Recent stories:
Letter from Down Under: Welcome to the HomogenoceneOne last Florida photo
Signs of Saturday: No refund
'I Am Woman,' hear them roar
Bobcat crossing
New at LA Observed
On the Politics Page
Go to Politics
Sign up for daily email from LA Observed