Energy stocks were taking it on the chin Friday as the price of oil fell below US$100 a barrel for the first time since February, 2012.
Oil prices have been tumbling as analysts and investors focus their attention on the U.S. economy and new data which showed that the U.S. economy created fewer jobs than expected in April.
United States Oil Fund LP (NYSE: USO, Stock Forum) fell 4.7% in trading Friday to $37. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM, Stock Forum) was down 1% to $84.75. Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX, Stock Forum) eased 2.5% to $103.47. Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG, Stock Forum) was off 4.4% to $48.04.
Crude for June delivery dropped 4.6% to $97.81 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, amid speculation over the impact of a slowing economy on demand and supply.