An indicator of confidence among US consumers edged sharply lower in the past week, as gas prices soared to a record high for a February.

The ABC News-Langer Research Consumer Comfort Index averaged -46 in the week ended February 6, down from -41 a week ago.

The index is just eight points above its all-time low and is well away from its long-term average of -14 in 25 years of weekly polls.

The poll suggested rising gas prices - at an average of $3.13 a gallon in February, up from $2.74 per gallon six months earlier - had a significant negative impact on consumer confidence.

Only 13% of survey respondents rated the economy positively, while just a quarter thought it was a good time to spend money. Some 43% of respondents rated their personal finances positively.

www.rttnews.com/Content/USEconomicNews.aspx?Node=B2

 In Ohio , gas prices continue to climb in a trend analysts say is likely to continue amid concerns about the stability of the Middle East and its oil supplies.

A survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express puts the state's average price for regular-grade gas at $3.14 a gallon, up 4 cents from last Monday's average of $3.10. Ohio prices have risen for three straight weeks.

A year ago, Ohio motorists were paying an average $2.57 for regular.

Analysts say prices could rise as much as 8 cents more over the next two weeks, until the conflict in Egypt is resolved and tensions ease in neighboring countries

news.cincinnati.com/article/20110207/.../Ohio-gas-prices-keep-rising

                   These are updates on the gas prices these days and what it looks like now, I think for awhile that we going to see lower prices again... Hopefully, but the prices are rising because of the tensions that are going on around the world so of right now .