The markets have been choppy over the last couple of days. This is hardly surprising, with one of the most bizarre quarters in living memory drawing to close. To say recent indicators are a “mixed bag” is an understatement Consider the following (hat tip, Dave Rosenberg, Gluskin Sheff):

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will likely maintain its crude oil production quotas at its meeting in Vienna, Austria today, Thursday.

The U.S. news media has convinced many investors that oil consumption is falling because of the global recession. While that may be true, it’s a disservice to millions of investors because production is declining at a pace that’s actually three times faster.

From its high of $147 a barrel last July, West Texas Intermediate Crude oil prices have crashed a cumulative 74%. That ranks as one of the worst absolute declines for any asset since the onset of deflation last July as investors dump most commodities, except gold, silver and several other soft commodities.

IMF set for sharp cuts in global growth forecasts… February contract expires up 6 percent on short-covering… Focus on bearish demand; U.S. crude stocks data seen up…

A new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that oil consumption will remain flat through 2030, shedding light on the slow growth of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The EIA report says that increases in fuel-efficiency standards, use of renewable fuels and advances in technology will translate into less dependence on imported oil. At the same time, the reports projects that hybrid vehicles will comprise 38% of total sales by 2030 – a hefty share if any investor is willing to wait 21 years for that kind of growth.

While some form of battery-powered vehicle will emerge in the coming decades, the U.S. market will also see a diversification in fuel consumption flex-fuel, hybrid, and diesel vehicles, according to the…

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Friday said it would cut oil production quotas by 1.5 million barrels a day in an attempt to put a floor under oil prices, which have plunged nearly 60% from their July record.

What will happen when there is less oil? U.S. oil demand will fall, whether anybody likes it or not. The oil will simply not be available in the volumes that the government, industry and people in general have come to expect. So the phenomenon of declining oil use will not be voluntary, graceful or cheap.

Last week, Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, announced that his nation would not renew its OPEC membership.

What will happen when there is less oil? U.S. oil demand will fall, whether anybody likes it or not.