Morning Money Memo….

Oil prices are expected to drop into 2015, the International Energy Agency said in its Oil Market Report this morning. Downward price pressure is expected to continue into the first half of next year, with oil demand falling to five-year lows while oil production shows no sign of decreasing. Crude oil prices have dropped about 30 percent since June to a four-year low, with a strong U.S. dollar and rising U.S. light oil output outweighing any disruptions in the global oil distribution. Brent and WTI crude were both below $80 per barrel this morning. All of this has meant good news for U.S. drivers, who have seen prices plummeting at the gas pumps nationwide. The average gas price in the U.S. is currently $2.91 per gallon.

Rising college tuition a sign of the good times? The cost of attending college rose in 2014, but at a slower rate than in the past five years, according to The College Board's Trends in Higher Education report. Total student borrowing has also fallen 8 percent in the last year. The report credited large increases in Pell grants, educational aid and tax credits with lowering net prices students pay, a sign schools are receiving more money from outside sources. The slowing costs coupled with the falling unemployment rate for college graduates, about 3 percent in October, appeared to be signs of good news for graduates in the post-recession era. The report, however, also highlighted the rising levels of cumulative debt for student borrowers, which averaged around $35,000 nationwide. Debt.org estimated that $3,000 of student debt is added to the $1 trillion total every second.

U.S. markets were looking at a record open this morning on Wall Street, following strong earnings results and positive labor market data Thursday. The Dow closed at a record 17,652 Thursday after hitting an intra-day record of 17,705, led by a higher than expected Q3 earnings from Wal-Mart, which saw a 4 percent jump in its stock price. U.S. futures were flat this morning. European markets were down this morning, while markets in Asia were mixed. Gold was down nearly $8 per ounce to $1,115.

As it highlights a hapless reunion 20 years in the making, the sequel to the cult comedy classic "Dumb and Dumber" will look to dethrone Disney's "Big Hero 6? at this weekend's box office. Uniting megastars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as lovable dimwits Lloyd and Harry proved a profitable formula in 1994, bringing in $16 million in its opening weekend en route to a $127 million take at the domestic box office. Analysts expect the sequel, aptly titled "Dumb and Dumber To," to provide a bigger draw the second time around, while also facing stiff competition. Both "Dumb and Dumber To" and "Big Hero 6? are expected to draw in roughly $30 million apiece this weekend. "Big Hero 6? out-earned Christopher Nolan's blockbuster "Interstellar" last weekend, taking in $73 million during its first week in theaters.