Gas Prices Surge Again, Renewing Talk of a Double-Dip Recession

By DOUGLAS MCINTYRE

A gallon of regular gas climbed to $3.503 on Sunday -- nearly 38 cents higher than a month ago and up 15 cents in a week, according to AAA, which posts gas prices daily. Oil hit $106 a barrel Monday as increased fighting in Libya seems likely to move the price of crude higher.

It has been said often, though perhaps not enough, that the risk of a double-dip recession stems more from oil prices than anything else.

The cost of gas has now risen to a level that will clearly impact the budgets of both consumers and certain businesses. There doesn't appear to be a single tipping point that triggers a pull-back in spending as household transportation needs vary significantly. Obviously, however, more affluent consumers will not be hurt as quickly as middle- and lower-income groups.

Rising gasoline prices clearly pose risks for businesses, as well. The International Air Transport Association recently cut its profit outlook for airlines by a large amount for this year to $8.6 billion, down 46% from last year. Airline companies are no strangers to layoffs.

Other industries that ship goods over long distances will also be victims of high gas prices. As odd as it may seem, even tech companies that have to ship components and finished products will face much higher transportation costs. Fast food firms like McDonald's ( MCD ) and Starbucks ( SBUX ), with margins already under pressure from the rise in agricultural commodities, will have to pay higher prices to get products to their thousands of stores.

The soaring price of gasoline is death by a thousand cuts to the American economy.

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