Article

Most commodities down over last week

Diesel fuel and Domino's stock are exceptions in an otherwise down week for commodities.

May 16, 2016

The price of everything from cheese and wheat to most gas and pizza stocks dropped over the last week. The exceptions were diesel fuel and Domino’s, where prices rose slightly. For a more detailed look at the last week in commodities trading, please see below.

Cheese

Average block cheese dropped 2 cents during the week on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Prices were $1.27 Monday and Tuesday, $1.30 Wednesday, $1.27 Thursday and $1.28 Friday. The previous week's prices were $1.36 Monday, $1.34 Tuesday, $1.33 Wednesday and $1.31 Thursday and Friday.

Wheat

Wheat prices decreased by 8 cents to $5.23 from the previous week on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. It was $5.31 the previous week.

Gasoline and diesel fuel

Monday's nationwide average for regular unleaded increased 1 cent to $2.22 from the previous week, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

Prices are up from $2.11 a month ago and are significantly lower than this time last year when consumers were paying $2.70 at the pump.

Mid-range gas increased 2 cents from last week to $2.4 and 2 cents to $2.70 for premium.  

The nationwide average for diesel fuel increased by 2 cents to $2.24. Diesel prices were $2.12 a month ago, and $2.87 a year ago, showing a hefty 63-cent total drop over the 12-month period.

Natural gas

Natural gas spot prices fell at most locations this report week (Wednesday, May 4, to Wednesday, May 11), with a few scattered price increases. Declines in northeastern market areas were substantial. The Henry Hub spot price posted a 2-cent increase from $1.99/MMBtu last Wednesday to $2.01/MMBtu yesterday.

At the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), the June 2016 contract price also rose slightly over the report week, from $2.141/MMBtu last Wednesday to $2.173/MMBtu yesterday.

Pizza company stocks

Shares in Pizza Hut parent Yum! Brands Inc closed Friday at $80.30, down $1.27 from the previous Friday’s close.

Domino's finished last week at $121.95, up $0.49 from the previous week’s close.

Papa John's closed Friday at $61.75 — down $0.10 from the previous Friday.

Shares in Papa Murphy's closed Friday at $7.79. That’s down 15 cents from the previous Friday’s close.