RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR's business news starts with oil prices drifting lower.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Oil markets have their eye on the end of summer, which means the end of the American driving season. That's when demand for fuel normally slows down. This year, oil stockpiles are unusually high and crude oil prices have now have fallen to a seven-week low of about $72 a barrel.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Markets are also keeping their eye on the world economy, which is showing continued signs of weakness.
Oil markets have their eye on the end of summer, which means the end of the U.S. driving season. That's when demand for fuel normally slows down. This year, oil stockpiles are unusually high. Crude oil prices now have fallen to a seven-week low of about $72 a barrel.