COMMODITIES

In a supplement to the October 2009 Short-Term Energy Outlook, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) analyzed the inherent volatility of energy prices by looking at the options market. This supplement was the first product under the EIA's Energy and Financial Markets Initiative launched in September. The Initiative is aimed at examining all the variables that affect energy prices and price volatility.

Oil eased to below $79 a barrel on Wednesday, extending the previous session's decline from a one-year peak after a bigger-than-expected rise in U.S. crude oil inventories.

Oil fell to around $78 a barrel on Wednesday, extending the previous session's decline from a one-year peak after a bigger-than-expected rise in U.S. crude oil inventories.

Oil edged lower on Tuesday, ebbing from an over $80 a barrel a peak hit earlier on a weaker dollar, as a cautious reassessment of supply and demand tempered the rally.

U.S. crude futures rose more than half a percent on Tuesday to a one-year high of $80.05 a barrel on a weak dollar and firm U.S. stock markets.

U.S. crude futures rose more than half a percent on Tuesday to a one-year high of $80.05 a barrel on a weak dollar and firm U.S. stock markets.

Crude oil rose to a one-year high above $78 a barrel on Friday after data showed U.S. industrial production expanded in September, boosting optimism for an economic recovery.

Crude oil prices fell from a one-year high above $78 a barrel on Friday, as investors questioned whether an $8-a-barrel rally since last week was warranted with global oil stocks still high.

Oil retreated from a year-high above $78 touched early on Friday after a renewed focus on brimming inventories, disappointing corporate earnings and a slip in consumer confidence chipped away at bullishness across financial markets.

Oil prices jumped more than 3 percent on Thursday, touching a one-year high after government data showed a steep, unexpected drop in U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories.

Oil prices jumped more than 2 percent on Thursday, touching a one-year high after government data showed a steep, unexpected drop in U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories.

Oil rose toward $76 a barrel on Thursday, its sixth straight session of gains in spite of a brief midsession stumble as the euro fell on disappointing Q3 earnings reports, traders said.

Oil rose toward $76 a barrel on Thursday in its sixth straight session of gains after a government inventory report showed large drops in gasoline and distillate stocks, surprising the market.

Oil rose toward $76 a barrel on Thursday, its sixth straight session of gains in spite of a brief midsession stumble as the euro fell on disappointing Q3 earnings reports, traders said.

Oil fell back from a year high on Thursday but stayed above $75 a barrel, reversing its sixth straight positive session after European shares pared gains and the euro fell on disappointing Q3 earnings reports, traders said.

Oil fell back below $75 a barrel from year-highs and reversed its sixth straight positive session on Thursday after European shares pared gains and the euro fell on disappointing Q3 earnings reports, traders said.

Oil hit a record high for the year above $75 a barrel on Wednesday as economic optimism hinted at a recovery in global energy demand.

Oil surged for a fifth day on Wednesday to a 2009 high above $75 a barrel, boosted by a weak dollar and optimism about a global economic rebound that will lead to higher energy demand.

Oil surged for a fifth day on Wednesday to a 2009 high above $75 a barrel, boosted by a weak dollar and optimism about a global economic rebound that will lead to higher energy demand.

Oil surged for a fifth day toward its 2009 high of $75 a barrel, boosted by a weak dollar and strong earnings from Intel that pushed U.S. stock futures sharply higher.

Oil surged for a fifth day toward its 2009 high of $75 a barrel, boosted by a weak dollar and strong earnings from Intel that pushed U.S. stock futures sharply higher.

Oil rose for the fourth straight session on Tuesday, edging higher above $73 a barrel after OPEC raised its 2010 demand forecast and the dollar slumped.

Oil edged below $73 a barrel on Tuesday, after rising for three straight sessions to settle at a seven-week high the previous day, buoyed by a weak dollar and optimism over the pace of global economic recovery.

Oil rose above $72 a barrel on Monday, extending last week's rally, on optimism about the pace of global economic recovery and indications of stronger oil demand.

Oil topped $72 a barrel on Monday, extending last week's gains, thanks to growing optimism about the pace of the global economic recovery and a positive demand forecast from the International Energy Agency.

Oil fell toward $71 a barrel on Friday, a stronger dollar outweighed a positive demand outlook from the International Energy Agency.

Oil rose to more than $72 a barrel on Friday, as a positive demand outlook from the International Energy Agency outweighed a bounce in the dollar.

Oil fell toward $71 a barrel on Friday, trimming a 3 percent gain in the previous session, as a bounce in the dollar outweighed a more positive demand outlook from the International Energy Agency.

Oil prices rose to settle above $71 a barrel on Thursday, supported by better-than-expected economic data and a weaker U.S. dollar.