AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report for Friday, 07/21/17

National Average Price for Regular Unleaded Current: $3.333; Month Ago: $3.584; Year Ago: $3.725. National Average Price for Diesel Current: $4.315; Month Ago: $4.459; Year Ago: $5.342.

Futures in New York slid 2.3 percent. Declines in the equity market, a rising dollar and concern that Trump’s tariff threats will spark a trade war acted as a downward force on crude oil. And at the same time, the Energy Information Administration reported American crude inventories rose by 2.41 million barrels last week, while production jumped to a fresh record. The EIA report also showed gasoline supplies declined for the first time since January and distillate inventories fell for a fourth straight week. Stockpiles at the key U.S. storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma tumbled for an 11th week to the lowest since 2014. Crude inventories rose by 2.41 million barrels, lower than expectations. Click Read More below for additional information.

FedEx Corp. announced several leadership roles as the company makes progress to separate its less-than-truckload (LTL) freight division. John A. Smith, chief operating officer, U.S. and Canada, of Federal Express, has been selected to serve as the president and CEO of FedEx Freight, and R. Brad Martin, vice chairman of the FedEx Corp. board of directors, has agreed to serve as chairman of the board of FedEx Freight. Both appointments will be effective upon completion of the previously announced separation of FedEx Freight from FedEx Corp. Plans for the spin-off, which is expected to occur by June 2026, remain on track. “I cannot think of two individuals with more knowledge of, or commitment to, the long-term success of the FedEx Freight business than John Smith and Brad Martin,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and CEO of FedEx Corp. “Together they have the track record and expertise to successfully lead this new and exciting chapter for the independent FedEx Freight company.”