End Fuel Prices and Their Drivers in the Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper deals with understanding drivers influencing the end price of fuels in the Czech Republic and ramifications for relevant companies. Its aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of all relevant elements that have been influencing end prices of gasoline and diesel during last 8 years, understand their leverage and uncover which of those were the most important for this development. These are then researched using mainly graphical analysis and statistical tools. The delivery is that both prices of gasoline and diesel are highly correlated with the price development of crude oil and the prices of their respective commoditized barges expressed in the nominal value of CZK. It was also discovered that there are visible tendencies for asymmetrical pricing reaction and reaction lags, which could serve as a basis for a follow-up work. We also tried to examine the level in which Czech crown as a national currency provides cushion against up and down swings in commodity markets. Based on these findings several conclusive recommendations for relevant companies were built and delivered.