U.S. Diesel Prices Exceed $5 for First Time in Three Years
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 17 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Diesel Price Surge: U.S. diesel prices surpassed $5 per gallon for the first time in over three years, reaching $5.04, a 34% increase from the previous day, reflecting the historic oil supply disruption caused by the escalating war in the Middle East, which poses significant pressure on the transportation sector.
- Rising Transportation Costs: In response to soaring diesel prices, trucking and rail companies are raising fuel surcharges, which could further inflate transportation costs, potentially impacting consumer prices and spending, thereby exerting negative pressure on the economy.
- Gasoline Price Increase: Gasoline prices have also surged 27% since the onset of the war, averaging $3.79 per gallon, marking the highest level since October 2023, indicating the overall tension in the energy market.
- Continued Oil Price Rise: With Iran attacking tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have surged over 40% during the conflict, with U.S. crude trading around $94 per barrel and Brent at approximately $101, suggesting that fuel prices will remain under pressure until oil flows resume.
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Analyst Views on PSX
Wall Street analysts forecast PSX stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 163.330
Low
110.00
Averages
132.40
High
162.00
Current: 163.330
Low
110.00
Averages
132.40
High
162.00
About PSX
Phillips 66 is a diversified and integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products. The Company's Midstream segment provides crude oil and refined petroleum product transportation, terminating and processing services, as well as natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) transportation, storage, fractionation, gathering, processing and marketing services. Its Chemicals segment consists of its 50% equity investment in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, which manufactures and markets petrochemicals and plastics on a worldwide basis. Its Refining segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, such as gasoline, distillates, including aviation fuels. Its Marketing and Specialties segment purchases for resale and markets refined products, mainly in the United States and Europe. Its Renewable Fuels segment processes renewable feedstocks into renewable products at the Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex and at its Humber Refinery.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude prices fell over 11% to a five-week low after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, easing inflation concerns and causing the 10-year T-note yield to drop 7 basis points to 4.24%.
- Strong Earnings Season: The earnings season started robustly, with 81% of the 48 S&P 500 companies reporting Q1 earnings exceeding estimates, projecting a 12% year-over-year increase in earnings, providing strong support for the stock market.
- Airline Stocks Surge: Airline stocks surged as fuel costs decreased, with Alaska Air Group (ALK) rising over 10% and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) up more than 7%, indicating market confidence in the recovery of the airline industry.
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- Dividend Announcement: Phillips 66 has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.27 per share.
- Financial Commitment: This dividend reflects the company's ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders.
See More
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- Market Surge: The S&P 500 rose by 1.28% and the Nasdaq 100 reached an all-time high, reflecting investor optimism driven by peace talks between the US and Iran, which may enhance risk appetite and bolster overall market confidence.
- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude oil prices fell over 13% to a five-week low after the Strait of Hormuz reopened, easing inflation concerns and causing the 10-year Treasury yield to drop by 8 basis points, further supporting the bond market.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: Q1 earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to increase by 12% year-over-year, although excluding the tech sector, growth is only 3%, indicating resilience in corporate performance amid economic recovery and providing market support.
- Airline Stocks Soar: With reduced fuel costs, Alaska Air Group and United Airlines surged by over 14% and 11%, respectively, demonstrating the positive impact of falling oil prices on the airline industry, which could enhance profitability for related companies.
See More
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- Long-Term Market Impact: Phillips 66 CEO Mark Lashier stated that disruptions in the Middle East will haunt markets for an extended period, with some effects rebounding quickly while others will take longer, highlighting the fragility of the global energy system.
- Global Energy System Reconstruction: Lashier emphasized that a ceasefire in the Middle East would not suffice to repair the damage done to the global energy system, necessitating redesign and rebuilding of infrastructure, which underscores the complexity and vulnerability of current energy supply chains.
- Significant Logistical Shift: With approximately 12 million barrels per day of oil effectively trapped, Asian buyers have been forced to aggressively acquire crude from North America and the Atlantic Basin, resulting in a global reshuffling that is not only costly but inefficient, potentially leading to permanent changes.
- Stock Price Volatility: Despite Phillips 66 shares slipping 8% over the past 30 days, they have surged nearly 70% in the past year, reflecting a contradiction between market confidence in the company's long-term prospects and short-term volatility.
See More
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- Nasdaq's Strong Rebound: The Nasdaq Composite also reached a new high, up nearly 5% in three days and 11.2% in April, marking 11 consecutive days of gains, reflecting robust performance in tech stocks and optimistic market expectations for future growth.
- Big Tech Rotation: Microsoft's stock jumped 4.6% on Wednesday without a clear reason, but it has risen 11% in April, showing sustained investor interest in tech; Tesla also rose 12% in three days, indicating strong confidence in these companies.
- Decreased Volatility: The Cboe Volatility Index has dropped nearly 30% in April, linked to S&P 500 index options activity, suggesting a stabilization in market sentiment and reduced investor concerns about future market fluctuations.
See More
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- Increased Import Dependency: In 2024, the UK imported 3.1 times more kerosene than it produced and 2.5 times more diesel, indicating a significant decline in self-sufficiency in these critical fuels due to refinery closures, thereby increasing reliance on external supplies.
- Stockpile Crisis: The UK's kerosene stockpiles are only sufficient for one month's supply, far below the levels of most other countries, creating an urgent demand for kerosene in the international market, especially during peak aviation fuel demand periods.
- Price Hike Expectations: With European kerosene prices having doubled, airfares are expected to rise this summer, and airlines may cut capacity, which could impact the UK's tourism sector, although it may encourage more domestic vacations, providing opportunities for local hospitality businesses.
See More
US Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Plunge Amid Peace Talks
- Market Rally: The S&P 500 rose 1.20% and the Nasdaq 100 increased by 1.29%, reaching all-time highs, reflecting investor optimism regarding US-Iran peace talks, which may enhance risk appetite in the markets.
- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude prices fell over 11% to a five-week low after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, easing inflation concerns and causing the 10-year T-note yield to drop 7 basis points to 4.24%.
- Strong Earnings Season: The earnings season started robustly, with 81% of the 48 S&P 500 companies reporting Q1 earnings exceeding estimates, projecting a 12% year-over-year increase in earnings, providing strong support for the stock market.
- Airline Stocks Surge: Airline stocks surged as fuel costs decreased, with Alaska Air Group (ALK) rising over 10% and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) up more than 7%, indicating market confidence in the recovery of the airline industry.
See More
PHILLIPS 66 ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $1.27 PER SHARE
- Dividend Announcement: Phillips 66 has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.27 per share.
- Financial Commitment: This dividend reflects the company's ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders.
See More
US Stocks Rally as Oil Prices Plunge Amid Peace Talks
- Market Surge: The S&P 500 rose by 1.28% and the Nasdaq 100 reached an all-time high, reflecting investor optimism driven by peace talks between the US and Iran, which may enhance risk appetite and bolster overall market confidence.
- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude oil prices fell over 13% to a five-week low after the Strait of Hormuz reopened, easing inflation concerns and causing the 10-year Treasury yield to drop by 8 basis points, further supporting the bond market.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: Q1 earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to increase by 12% year-over-year, although excluding the tech sector, growth is only 3%, indicating resilience in corporate performance amid economic recovery and providing market support.
- Airline Stocks Soar: With reduced fuel costs, Alaska Air Group and United Airlines surged by over 14% and 11%, respectively, demonstrating the positive impact of falling oil prices on the airline industry, which could enhance profitability for related companies.
See More
Middle East Oil Disruptions Will Have Long-Lasting Effects
- Long-Term Market Impact: Phillips 66 CEO Mark Lashier stated that disruptions in the Middle East will haunt markets for an extended period, with some effects rebounding quickly while others will take longer, highlighting the fragility of the global energy system.
- Global Energy System Reconstruction: Lashier emphasized that a ceasefire in the Middle East would not suffice to repair the damage done to the global energy system, necessitating redesign and rebuilding of infrastructure, which underscores the complexity and vulnerability of current energy supply chains.
- Significant Logistical Shift: With approximately 12 million barrels per day of oil effectively trapped, Asian buyers have been forced to aggressively acquire crude from North America and the Atlantic Basin, resulting in a global reshuffling that is not only costly but inefficient, potentially leading to permanent changes.
- Stock Price Volatility: Despite Phillips 66 shares slipping 8% over the past 30 days, they have surged nearly 70% in the past year, reflecting a contradiction between market confidence in the company's long-term prospects and short-term volatility.
See More
S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Record Highs Amid Market Rally
- Record Market Performance: The S&P 500 closed at a record high on Thursday, rising 3% over three days and 7.6% since early April, indicating strong market confidence and a rebound in investor sentiment.
- Nasdaq's Strong Rebound: The Nasdaq Composite also reached a new high, up nearly 5% in three days and 11.2% in April, marking 11 consecutive days of gains, reflecting robust performance in tech stocks and optimistic market expectations for future growth.
- Big Tech Rotation: Microsoft's stock jumped 4.6% on Wednesday without a clear reason, but it has risen 11% in April, showing sustained investor interest in tech; Tesla also rose 12% in three days, indicating strong confidence in these companies.
- Decreased Volatility: The Cboe Volatility Index has dropped nearly 30% in April, linked to S&P 500 index options activity, suggesting a stabilization in market sentiment and reduced investor concerns about future market fluctuations.
See More
UK Refining Capacity Decline Sparks Fuel Shortage Crisis
- Declining Refining Capacity: The UK's refining capacity has decreased by 41% since 2000, primarily due to the exit of major oil companies like BP and Shell in 2011, which has diminished market competitiveness and affected the stability of domestic fuel supplies.
- Increased Import Dependency: In 2024, the UK imported 3.1 times more kerosene than it produced and 2.5 times more diesel, indicating a significant decline in self-sufficiency in these critical fuels due to refinery closures, thereby increasing reliance on external supplies.
- Stockpile Crisis: The UK's kerosene stockpiles are only sufficient for one month's supply, far below the levels of most other countries, creating an urgent demand for kerosene in the international market, especially during peak aviation fuel demand periods.
- Price Hike Expectations: With European kerosene prices having doubled, airfares are expected to rise this summer, and airlines may cut capacity, which could impact the UK's tourism sector, although it may encourage more domestic vacations, providing opportunities for local hospitality businesses.
See More
