Week ending Jan. 30, 2008 ? Crude settles below $73 despite strong US growt

Gasoline averages $2.71 across the nation this week. Crude Oil Oil prices fell on Friday despite the US Department of Commerce reporting Real GDP rose at a 5.7 percent annual rate, the second consecutive advance (+ 2.2% in the third quarter) and the strongest increase since the third quarter of 2003. On the New York Mercantile Exchange this afternoon, Crude Oil for March delivery settled down $0.75 at $72.89 per barrel. For the week, Crude was down $1.65.