But oil prices promptly surged in futures trading, dashing hopes for quick relief from gasoline prices that have climbed nearly 20' per gal. Nor will the 700,000 bbl. Nonetheless, experts say Iraqi oil should help lower U.S. pump prices by midsummer. Daniel Yergin, president of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, estimates that gas prices could fall as much as 10' per gal. Toy watchers were startled as well, because the Feds also say those Barbies, G.I. Joes and Buzz Lightyears that your kids are clamoring for could be overpriced.
Price competition is brutal and getting worse every year.
That happens in every industry. Nor will it. Last week Nations Air became a charter airline, having become the first business casualty of the May 11 crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. The plight of Nations Air showed the public's concern about the safety of low-cost airlines as investigators dredged the swampy ValuJet crash site for clues to the cause of the accident. Such fear of budget flying could result in higher U.S. airfares if no-frills carriers halt or cut back service.