The slide in retail gasoline that U.S. drivers typically see this time of year hit a speed bump this week as a series of refinery breakdowns tightened supply. Gasoline on the Gulf Coast , home to more than half of U.S. refining capacity, surged 20 cents a gallon over two weeks. October-delivery futures in New York, the benchmark grade for gasoline sold across the country, settled yesterday at the highest this month. Retail prices , which tend to lag behind moves in the spot and futures markets, rose three days this week after falling every day since Sept. 5. The seasonal decline, which averaged 11 cents in September during the past five years, has slowed as refineries in eastern Canada and Texas shut units for unscheduled repairs at a time when other plants are conducting seasonal maintenance. “The significant amount of refinery maintenance going on, particularly in the Gulf […]