Oil Tops $85 Per Barrel For The 1st Time In 15 Years

US oil jumped another 1.2% to trade as high as $85.07 a barrel on Oct. 26, 2021. It's the first intraday trade above $85 since October 2014, Matt Egan reported for CNN Business.

Photo Insert: This is oil's first intraday trade above $85 since October 2014.

The rebound has intensified in recent weeks as a global energy crunch has emerged, marked by spikes in natural gas, coal, and crude prices. Oil is up 13% this month alone and is now up 120% from a year ago.

The oil spike is amplifying inflationary pressures and raising the cost of living for everyday Americans. A regular gallon of gas not fetches $3.38 nationally, up from $3.32 a week ago.

A year ago, when fewer people were driving, the average gas price stood at $2.16 a gallon. Brent crude, the global benchmark, gained 1% Monday and hit an intraday high of $86.51 a barrel, a fresh three-year high.

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