It's official. The national average for gas prices is now $4 per a gallon. Keep in mind when this war began, the national average was $2.98%.But don't expect gas prices to drop as fast as they've gone up. Gas retailers largely price the cost per gallon based upon what they think that their next fuel shipment will cost. And so with higher prices when it came to crude, that's what you're seeing at the pump right now.I mean, with so much uncertainty still lingering, it's largely expected that we'll see higher ...

Summary of Key Points Core Perspective - The average tax refund amount has increased by nearly 11% year-over-year, reaching $3,623 for the week of March 13, while the total government refunds have risen by 12% to $182.6 billion, indicating a significant uptick in tax refunds during the current filing season [1][2]. Tax Refund Trends - The increase in tax refunds is attributed to provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes new and expanded deductions aimed at enhancing Americans' refunds [3]. - Despite the anticipated boost in spending from larger tax refunds, rising gas prices due to geopolitical tensions may negate these benefits, with forecasts suggesting a slowdown in consumption growth by 2026 [4]. Economic Context - U.S. household debt rose by approximately 4% in 2025, with serious delinquencies also increasing, highlighting concerns over the implications of larger tax refunds [5]. - Elevated inflation rates, rising unemployment, and higher gas prices further complicate the financial landscape, suggesting that the larger refunds could have been better utilized throughout the year [6]. Financial Strategies - Overpaying taxes results in a missed opportunity for better financial management, as a larger tax refund is essentially an interest-free loan to the government [5]. - Adjusting tax withholdings can improve monthly cash flow, allowing individuals to cover living expenses, pay down debt, or save for emergencies [8]. - High-interest debt, particularly credit card debt with an average APR of 22.30%, can be more costly than the benefits of a large tax refund [10]. Investment Opportunities - The potential returns from investing in the stock market, which averages a long-term return of 7% when adjusted for inflation, present a more lucrative option than allowing tax overpayments to sit with the government [11]. - Systematic investments into retirement accounts or high-yield savings can maximize financial growth over time, emphasizing the importance of adjusting withholdings to retain more income throughout the year [12]. W-4 Adjustment Guidance - To reduce tax refunds, individuals should consider adjusting their W-4 forms, including increasing the number of dependents or modifying deductions to decrease withholding [15]. - Care should be taken not to overcorrect withholding, as this could lead to significant tax bills or penalties [14].

And tonight, new numbers are coming in right now in a snapshot of the oil markets with concerns about gas prices spiking. Brian Chung is monitoring all of it for us tonight. So, Brian, what are we seeing.>> Hi. Things have been moving in just the last few minutes. Pre-market trading saw oil prices rise, then drop, suggesting another day of rocky action tomorrow.Now, this comes after we already headed into the weekend on a fourth straight week of losses on the stock market. After hitting all-time highs in Ja ...

American car buyers anxious about rising gas prices will find that many electric vehicles are as cheap as they’ve ever been https://t.co/C4FglOgIjh ...

DAVID: COMING UP ON "BLOOMBERG THIS WEEKEND," PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ULTIMATUM TO IRAN -- OPEN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, OR THE UNITED STATES WILL STRIKE POWER PLANTS. THE TIMELINE AND HOW IRAN IS RESPONDING. CHRISTINA: THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS READY TO DEPLOY I.C. E. AGENTS TO AIRPORTS TOMORROW IF DEMOCRATS DO NOT AGREE TO PARTS OF A FUNDING PLAN.>> NEGOTIATE WITH REPUBLICANS BUT AT THE SAME TIME DO NOT INFLICT PAIN ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. CHRISTINA: SECURITY CONCERNS AS DELAYS PLAGUE TRAVELERS. DAVID: PLUS, TAKE U ...

Republicans are downbeat about gas prices. Their chief hope at the moment is that, if the war is short and oil costs settle down, voters may be less angry come November https://t.co/63DydHb0mF ...

With gas prices across the country surging 94 cents since a war with Iran began, >> everything just seems to be going up. >> The Trump administration is looking for new ways to calm rattled oil markets. >> It used to be 60 something to fill my tank. Now it's 90 something to fill my tank.>> Treasury Secretary Scott Besson now announcing that the US will allow for the limited sale of previously sanctioned Iranian oil. It comes as the cost of US crude sits just below $100 a barrel. President Trump trying to of ...

Our Market Sense pros recently discussed what could be ahead for oil and gas prices in the midst of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Catch the takeaways above, or watch the full conversation here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/live-pi ...

We're less than a month into the USIsraeli war in Iran and we're already seeing the impact at the gas pump. And that's just the first hit. Gas prices in the US have shot up to their highest levels since 2022 from $2.93% a month ago to $3.88% on Thursday.That's more than a 30% jump. Drivers in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado are seeing the biggest sticker shock. Gas isn't a huge line item on most household budgets.In 2025, it made up less than 2% of disposable income, but it can have an outsized impact on ...

Christine Romans covers business for us. And Christine, anyone who looked at their 401k today is likely seeing some real damage. >> Tom, it's been a four-week losing streak for markets.The worst since last spring when tariffs dominated uh the headlines here. The Dow, the Nasdaq, and the S&P 500 all lower here today and all down nearly 10% from their recent highs. That would be called a correction.It was just last month that the Dow topped 50,000. and it's down 5,000 points since then. The shock to the world ...