Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $100

Crude oil futures plunged $4.05 per barrel on Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange to settle at $98.49, the lowest close since early February.

Analysts say the sudden drop was triggered by weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data and fresh signs that Europe's economy is contracting. Traders expect that economic slowing would dampen energy demand.

U.S. gasoline prices continue to drift lower. Americans are now paying an average of $3.78 per gallon nationwide, down 4 cents in the past week and 15 cents lower than a month ago.