Suddenly, investors are waking up to the reality that high-priced oil is here to stay.
Since the Bear Stearns bailout in March, oil and stock prices have largely risen in tandem, while the economy has shown signs of shaking off the credit crunch and housing slump.
But in recent days, the game has abruptly changed. Skyrocketing oil priceshave sent stocks reeling, and the economy has begun to show troubling signs from the stress of burgeoning inflation.