the next psychological oil barrier - $125 a barrel.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

The price toyed with $100 for some time, until one trader decided to force it up by playing with the futures' market.
Now, that we see 109, even 109.50, the next signal number is 125. Just far enough to be scary, and close enough to be realizable. Of course, both the 100 and the 125 figures mean little in themselves, and it is humanity's weakness to search for patterns where none exist. (why do we have religions, anyway?)

There is one side effect, unintended, that might actually take root. Real energy reform. Solar, wind, geothermal, nuke (if clean) and most importantly, CONSERVATION. To that extent, reaching a psychological barrier is actually good thing, because as much as we need a rational response to energy issues, an emotional one is more likely to result in real gains.