Fueling Your Finances: A Look Back at Gas Prices and ExxonMobil Stock
Diving into the energy sector, specifically examining the movement of average gasoline prices across the United States and the performance of a major player in the industry, Exxon Mobil (XOM), by comparing their values from last week to those of the previous month (March 2025).
Easing at the Pump: US Gas Prices See a Dip
For those of you hitting the road, there’s a bit of welcome news. Data indicates that the average price of gasoline in the United States saw a slight decrease last week (week ending April 14, 2025) when compared to the average prices we observed throughout March 2025.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average retail gas price settled around $3.168 per gallon last week. This figure aligns closely with the data from AAA, which also reported an average of $3.168 per gallon for regular gasoline as of April 14, 2025. YCharts’ data, slightly lagging, showed an average of $3.295 per gallon on April 15th, noting a decline from the previous week’s $3.37.
Zooming out to the previous month, March 2025, we see a slightly different picture. AAA data suggests an average regular gasoline price around $3.058 per gallon mid-March. The FRED database reported an average of $3.232 per gallon for gasoline across U.S. cities in March, while LendingTree indicated an average of $3.10 per gallon for the same period.
While the exact averages for March vary slightly across sources due to different methodologies and reporting periods, the overall trend points to gas prices being a bit lower last week compared to the general price levels experienced in March. This easing at the pump could be attributed to various factors, including fluctuations in crude oil prices, changes in refinery output, and shifts in demand as we move further into spring.
ExxonMobil’s Stock: A Slight Retreat After a Strong March
Turning our attention to the stock market, we’ll analyze the performance of Exxon Mobil (XOM), a bellwether in the energy sector. Last week (April 14 – April 18, 2025), ExxonMobil’s stock price exhibited a range, generally closing between approximately $103.10 and $106.92.
To put this in perspective, let’s look back at March 2025. Throughout the month, XOM’s stock demonstrated a stronger performance overall. Closing prices during March ranged from a low of around $107.54 at the beginning of the month to a high of approximately $119.04 towards the end. Notably, there were multiple trading days in March where the stock closed comfortably in the $115 – $119 range.
Comparing the two periods, it’s evident that Exxon Mobil’s stock price was generally lower last week compared to the prevailing levels throughout March 2025. While the stock did show some upward momentum towards the end of last week, it didn’t reach the higher valuations seen in the previous month.
Connecting the Dots:
While there isn’t always a direct, immediate correlation between gasoline prices and the stock price of a major oil company like Exxon Mobil, they are both influenced by the broader energy market. Factors such as crude oil prices, global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and company-specific performance can all play a role.
The slight decrease in average US gas prices last week might reflect some softening in demand or a dip in crude oil prices during that period. Exxon Mobil’s stock performance, while showing a retreat from March highs, is influenced by a multitude of factors beyond just the price of gasoline at the pump, including their production levels, refining margins, and overall investor sentiment towards the energy sector.
Looking Ahead:
The energy market is constantly evolving. Keep an eye on nppsc.com for future updates as we continue to track these important economic indicators. Understanding these trends can help you make informed decisions, whether you’re budgeting for your daily commute or considering investments in the energy sector.