WTI Crude Oil Price

What this number is

The spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude at Cushing, Oklahoma, the U.S. benchmark, as recorded by the Energy Information Administration each trading day. Brent, the international benchmark, usually trades a few dollars higher.

Why it matters

Crude sets gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and much of the cost of shipping and plastics, so it feeds straight into CPI. It is also the market where geopolitics shows up first: a closed strait or an OPEC+ decision reprices it within minutes.

Questions readers ask

What is the difference between WTI and Brent?

WTI is U.S. light sweet crude delivered inland at Cushing; Brent is North Sea crude delivered at sea and prices most of the world's oil. The spread reflects shipping costs and regional supply.

How does oil affect the stock market?

Energy producers gain with crude; airlines, chemicals and consumer stocks lose. A sharp spike also lifts inflation expectations and Treasury yields, which weighs on the whole index.