The Institutional Risk Analyst

Oil prices surged to a five-month high as the US and Israel consider more strikes against Iran after the midterm elections. U.S. retail diesel fuel prices have jumped significantly since June 2026, rising from an average of roughly $5.06 to $5.35 per gallon in early-to-mid June to $6.276 per gallon by October, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Grocery prices are up about 2% in the past 12 months, but restaurant prices are up twice that amount.