Whether it’s heading up or down, the oil market usually asserts itself as the leader of the commodities world.  Having plunged from levels around $130 per barrel this time last year all the way down to the $40s, the market has spent the last couple of months striking to the upside again.

In the energy market on Friday, crude for July delivery slipped, closing at $68.44/barrel, down 37 cents. July reformulated gasoline fell three-quarters of a cent, to $1.9546/gallon.

In the energy market on Thursday, crude for July delivery shot higher, closing at $69.15/barrel, up $3.03. July reformulated gasoline rose 7.19 cents, edging ever closer to the $2 mark, at $1.9735/gallon.

In the energy market on Tuesday, crude for July delivery was nearly unchanged, closing at $68.55/barrel, down 3 cents. July reformulated gasoline rose a half-cent, to $1.93/gallon.

In the energy market on Monday, crude for July delivery continued its relentless climb, closing at $68.58/barrel, up $2.27. July reformulated gasoline rose 2.9 cents, to $1.9243/gallon.

In the energy market on Friday, crude for July delivery continued to climb, closing at $66.20/barrel, up $1.12. June reformulated gasoline rose 2 cents, to $1.93/gallon.

In the energy market on Thursday, crude for July delivery continued to climb, closing at $65.08/barrel, up $1.63. June reformulated gasoline rose 1.88 cents, to $1.9105/gallon.

There are all sorts of catalysts that could send oil prices even higher. We are getting just a small dose of the action today and energy-related stocks are surging.

In the energy market on Wednesday, crude for July delivery advanced, closing at $63.45/barrel, up an even $1.00. June reformulated gasoline rose 3.39 cents, to $1.8917/gallon.

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