Equities Tumble on U.S. Recession

As WorldWatch mentioned before crude oil fell to a one-month low as major stock markets fell in Asia and Europe on concern the U.S. will lead a global economic recession. Slower growth will cut demand for energy and metals, You will see an effect on demand on the first half of the year..

Oil, down more than 11 percent from its $100.09 a barrel record on Jan. 3, led a decline across commodities markets as gold and copper also fell.
Crude oil for February delivery declined to $88.67 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That's the lowest since Dec. 12.

The more active March contract fell to $88.43 a barrel at 1:50 p.m. London time.

Brent crude for March settlement fell to $87.55 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract traded at $87.96 in London at 1:51 p.m. local time.
OPEC, the producer of more than 40 percent of the world's oil, hasn't yet made a decision on whether to raise output at its Feb. 1 meeting,

With all this activity, here in Portugal the final consumer price, continues very high, ther are no signs of a reduction in prices at the pump for consumers, we have prices that reflect the crude price of Jan. 3,$100.09 a barrel...

Both government and Oil companies all they want are higher profits at the expence of the consumer....