The national average for gas prices continues to fall, as fuel costs across the board are at least 20 cents lower than they were a month ago. Natural gas prices also have declined moderately in the past week, after a several-week upward trend.

Cheese

Average block cheese prices were up 4 cents last week on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, averaging $1.64 from $1.60 the week prior.

Cheese prices closed at $1.61 Monday, $1.65 Tuesday, $1.70 Wednesday, $1.64 Thursday and $1.61 Friday.

Wheat

Wheat prices jumped 30 cents last week on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, averaging $7.79 a bump up from $7.49 the week prior.

Wheat closed at $7.79 Monday, $7.64 Tuesday, $7.73 Wednesday, $7.94 Thursday and $7.87 Friday.

Gasoline and diesel fuel

Today's nationwide average for regular unleaded fuel is $3.50, another drop from the previous week, when prices were $3.54, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

Prices a month ago were 20 cents higher, at $3.70. Last year at this time, consumers were paying $3.66 at the pump.

Today's mid-range unleaded is $3.67, down slightly from $3.70 last week, while today's premium unleaded price is $3.80, down from $3.84 last week.

Diesel fuel prices are averaging $3.77, a 5-cent drop from $3.82 last week. The price of diesel fuel is down from $4 a month ago, and from $3.97 a year ago.

Natural gas

Natural gas prices, led by the futures market, declined moderately in nearly all markets over the week. At the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the July 2012 natural gas contract ended the week down 23.6 cents per million British thermal units (MMBtu) to close at $2.185 per MMBtu on June 13.

The Henry Hub price followed the NYMEX lead, closing at $2.18 per MMBtu on June 13, down 23 cents per MMBtu for the week.

Pizza company stocks

Pizza Hut parent Yum! Brands Inc. closed last week at $64.42, down slightly from $64.59 the week prior. The company hit its 52-week high in May at $74.44 after turning in a positive earnings report. Its 52-week low is $47.15 from a year ago.

Domino's closed last Friday at $29.32, a drop from $29.94 a week ago. DPZ's 52-week high was $42.21 from April. Shares remain substantially higher over this time last year when the company traded at $22.84.

Papa John's closed last week at $46.88, down from $47.64 the week prior. PZZA hit its 52-week high in May at $50.45 after a positive earnings report. The company hit its 52-week low of $26.95 a year ago.

CEC Entertainment Inc., parent company of Chuck E. Cheese restaurants, closed out last week at $34.22, a drop from $34.81 the week prior. The company hit its 52-week high of $42.75 in July 2011. Its 52-week low was $25.83 in September.

Pizza Inn closed Friday at $2.18, down from $2.25 the previous week. PZZI hit its 52-week high of $7.07 in December and traded as low as $2.21 a year ago.

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Photo courtesy of nopsa.