The overall average retail price of gasoline...

The overall average retail price of gasoline nationwide fell less than a half-cent over the past two weeks to 96.12 cents per gallon, an oil industry analyst said. The price drop came at a slower rate than in recent weeks and a price hike is expected soon, said Los Angeles-based analyst Trilby Lundberg, who surveys gasoline stations in every state. During the same period, wholesale prices overall, while moving up and down across the country, showed virtually no change on average. That translated to a loss in the retail operating margin of over one-half cent, the survey said. “This will add to already existing upward pressure on consumer prices,” Lundberg said.