#produce-costs

#produce-costs

The key to getting the most miles out of each gallon is driving efficiently. That means smooth acceleration, soft braking and slowing down. Cars tend to be the most fuel efficient when driven at about 50 miles per hour.

"Transportation costs are a big factor there. Every company that is involved and has logistics and they have to pay for gas, either they have to absorb this cost, or they will charge the third party that will provide this service. I'm not surprised this is happening, because at some point, Amazon will say we cannot absorb all this cost."

Jet fuel tends to be an airline's biggest expense. An analysis by the International Air Transport Association showed that, for the week ending March 27, the weekly average price of jet fuel has skyrocketed 116.8 per cent compared to the previous year's average.

Drivers will feel some short-term relief as petrol and diesel prices edge lower, and markets are reacting strongly to the pause. But oil remains elevated, and that continues to feed through the entire economy, into prices, business costs and investment decisions.

Major indices, including the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, all recorded gains, with the Nasdaq delivering its strongest weekly performance since November.

The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) is the most widely held energy ETF in the U.S., with roughly $38 billion in net assets, spanning the full energy value chain.

The geopolitical backdrop in the Middle East remained tense after renewed threats to Iranian infrastructure from President Donald Trump, although reports of a potential deal could limit the demand for the dollar.