Explainer: What is a negative crude future and does it mean anything for consumers?
The price of a barrel of benchmark U.S. oil plunged below $0 a barrel on Monday for the first time in history, a troubling sign of an unprecedented global energy glut as the coronavirus pandemic halts travel and curbs economic activity.
Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request.

### Instruction: Explainer: What is a negative crude future and does it mean anything for consumers?

### Response: The price of a barrel of benchmark U.S. oil plunged below $0 a barrel on Monday for the first time in history, a troubling sign of an unprecedented global energy glut as the coronavirus pandemic halts travel and curbs economic activity.