Gasoline Futures Jump 55% With Nine-Week Win Streak, United States Gasoline Fund Outpaces Crude
RBOB gasoline futures have surged about 55% since year-start to roughly $2.60 a gallon, marking nine straight weeks of gains—the longest on record. United States Gasoline Fund has outperformed West Texas Intermediate crude, indicating mounting downstream supply tightness and accelerating energy-driven inflation.
1. Gasoline Futures Record Rally
RBOB futures have climbed roughly 55% since January to about $2.60 a gallon, marking nine consecutive weeks of gains—the longest streak recorded since trading began in 1985.
2. U.S. Gasoline Fund Outperformance Signals Downstream Tightness
The United States Gasoline Fund, which tracks RBOB futures, has outpaced West Texas Intermediate crude, suggesting refined product supply is tightening and transmitting inflation faster than raw oil benchmarks.
3. Economic and Policy Implications of Rising Fuel Costs
Higher gasoline futures are elevating headline inflation, with oil near $80 per barrel potentially driving global inflation up by 0.7 points and slowing growth, complicating central bank policy and dimming prospects for rate cuts.