Brent crude climbs to $91.53 a barrel, up sharply from a year ago
At 6 a.m. ET on August 17, 2026, Brent crude traded at $91.53 per barrel, 86 cents higher than the previous morning and about $25.65 above the level a year earlier.
Early Thursday morning, Brent-indexed crude oil was priced at $91.53 per barrel, an increase of 86 cents from the previous day and roughly $25.65 higher than a year ago. Analysts point to the classic supply-and-demand framework, noting that heightened fears of recession, war or other disruptions can cause rapid price swings. When crude prices rise, gasoline at the pump typically follows, though retail fuel prices tend to adjust more slowly—a pattern often called “rockets and feathers.”
The United States maintains the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to mitigate abrupt supply shocks, offering immediate consumer relief but not a long-term fix. Changes in oil prices also ripple into natural-gas demand, as some industries may switch fuels when oil becomes costlier. Historically, Brent serves as the primary global benchmark, with past spikes linked to wars, recessions and OPEC policy moves.
Why it matters
Oil price movements influence fuel costs, consumer spending and broader economic stability.
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