AFTER WEEKS OF SPECULATION WHEN CRUDE OIL MIGHT HIT 100 DOLLARS – IT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS WEEK. GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS, A DECLINE IN INVENTORY SUPPLIES, AND A CONTINUING WEAK DOLLAR PUSHED CRUDE OIL TO A NEVER BEFORE SEEN TRADING PRICE. THE HISTORICAL BENCHMARK OF 100 DOLLARS PER BARREL WAS APPARENTLY DUE TO ONE TRADER ON THE NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE WHO DECIDED TO OVERPAY AND MAKE THE FIRST DEAL AT 100 DOLLARS A BARREL. HOWEVER, CRUDE OIL PRICES QUICKLY RETREATED. MARTHA MITCHELL MEADE WITH TRIPLE A MID-ATLANTIC SAID AS A RULE OF THUMB FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE PRICE OF CRUDE INCREASES, THE RETAIL COST OF GASOLINE WILL INCREASE BETWEEN ONE AND THREE CENTS A GALLON AT THE PUMP.