The highest oil prices in years are increasing expenses for companies that had grown used to low energy costs since crude’s 2014 tumble, while the turnabout is proving to be a boon for some businesses. Giant outfits from American Airlines Group Inc. AAL -6.36% to 3M Co. MMM -0.88% have warned this week about how persistent higher oil prices are boosting their expenses this year. In response, some companies are looking to pass on the costs to their customers, which would push inflation higher. That, in turn, could slow growth and weigh on an already vulnerable stock market. “I do believe that consumers will pay more,” said American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker. The airline on Thursday lowered its profit outlook for the year, citing in part a 12% increase in the average price of jet fuel over the past two weeks. Fuel is airlines’ second-largest expense after labor, […]