Oil Prices Jump To 2009 Record High

from National Public Radio

For more than a week the price of oil has been rising. Prices jumped above $79 a barrel Monday before falling back. Prices are up because investors have been betting that world economies are recovering, and consumer demand for energy will rise. But if prices go too high that could harm the economy by leading consumers to cut back spending on other items.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, October 19, 2009