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Oil companies put the brakes on the U.S. economy this spring by manipulating the supply of diesel fuel and spiking the price, according to a new study commissioned by Consumer Watchdog. The detailed report shows that oil companies and their refiners produced less diesel, imported less diesel and exported far more diesel early in 2008 than in previous years.

Fitch Ratings expects that global steel prices will even out in 2008 once cost inflation of raw material is absorbed, according to a new report. Prices increases for steel have been rampant during the first six months of 2008 as companies seek to pass through increased raw material costs. The ability to increase steel pricing is essential to maintain margins for producers who do not control their sources of iron ore, coke, pig iron and scrap.

Oil remains the only commodity in town, so to speak, the others are all sideshows, even gold which came to life Thursday and Friday and ended the week well over $US900 an ounce and at a one month high.