Sharp surge in energy prices threatens economic recovery and is already slowing growth
From www.cnbc.com
2021-10-12 16:18:31
Excerpt:
Woman pumps gas outside of Wawa storefront
Saul loeb
Energy prices are surging, and the economy is already feeling the pinch of higher fuel costs though it is far from stalling out.
There is an unusual coincidence of much higher oil, natural gas and coal prices, combined with other rising commodities and supply chain disruptions. That perfect storm of shortages and higher prices begs the question of whether the economy could go into a serious tailspin or even a recession.
Economists say, for now, the jump in prices is not the type of oil shock that will turn U.S. growth negative, but there will be economic consequences of higher energy costs, particularly in places like Europe where natural gas prices have skyrocketed.
“Periods of trending oil prices tend not to be a problem,” JPMorgan chief economist Bruce Kasman said. “The periods of spiking oil prices tend to be what gets you into trouble. They tend to be largely supply driven, and they tend to have disruptive elements that are more…