The drop in gasoline prices could benefit consumers and cool inflation. But it also may be a sign of economic weakness withBefore this week's drop, gasoline prices had posted a 7.4% jump in the third quarter, riding increases in crude oil futures after production cuts from Saudi Arabia, Russia and other OPEC+ members.
The four-week average of motor gasoline product supplied - a proxy for demand - averaged 8.3 million barrels a day, down 5% from the same period last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.