By SNW Asset Management via Iris.xyz Last week West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) oil prices rose to $63 per barrel, up from $27 in early 2016. Rising oil prices can be inflationary and in extreme cases, like the 1973 and 1979 oil shocks, rapidly rising oil prices can lead to recessions and inflation. This article was provided by our partner Tom Lydon of etftrends.com.