One of the major economic debates on Main Street and in Washington concerns the influence of speculators during oil's record price rise. (Oil currently trades above $140 and is up 100% during the past year, and more than 400% since 2000).
More than one Congressional committee is investigating the role of speculators, who critics say have 'distorted' or artificially boosted oil's price -- driven it higher than a level the commodity would trade at if the price were based solely on supply and demand fundamentals.
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, while not denying speculators have contributed to oil's record rise, nevertheless offers perhaps the strongest evidence regarding how a commodity's price can rise a great deal, without the influence of speculators. His evidence: iron ore.
More than one Congressional committee is investigating the role of speculators, who critics say have 'distorted' or artificially boosted oil's price -- driven it higher than a level the commodity would trade at if the price were based solely on supply and demand fundamentals.
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, while not denying speculators have contributed to oil's record rise, nevertheless offers perhaps the strongest evidence regarding how a commodity's price can rise a great deal, without the influence of speculators. His evidence: iron ore.
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