BRICS Plus Countries Increase Gold Reserves to More than 6 000 T
BRICS Plus nations now hold over 6,000 t of gold, representing roughly 17.4% of global central‑bank reserves, up from 11.2% in 2019. Russia (2,336 t) and China (2,298 t) together account for about 74% of the bloc’s holdings, while India adds 880 t. In the first nine months of 2025 the group bought 663 t of gold, valued at roughly US$91 billion, and central banks purchased more than half of all sovereign gold bought worldwide between 2020 and 2024. The surge coincides with a decline in the U.S. dollar’s share of global reserves, now near 57%.
Afreximbank Launches $10bn Crisis Support for Africa, Caribbean
Afreximbank has approved a $10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme to cushion African and Caribbean economies from the fallout of the Middle‑East conflict. The fund will supply short‑term foreign‑exchange and liquidity to keep essential imports such as fuel, food and pharmaceuticals...
Trump’s Tariffs Backfire: Why US Businesses Are Paying the Price
The Trump‑era tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper were intended to shield U.S. manufacturers, but they primarily hit raw material imports, inflating input costs for domestic producers. Finished goods imported from abroad largely escape these duties, keeping them price‑competitive on...
Singapore Set to Be Hit by Global Energy Crisis as It Unveils Countermeasures
The Middle East conflict is driving an Asia‑wide energy crunch that will hit Singapore’s economy, though the city‑state is better positioned than many neighbours. In parliament, ministers announced a S$200 boost to the cost‑of‑living cash payment and accelerated S$500 food...
Modest Growth Projected for 2026 as Uncertainty From Iran War, Trade Linger: Deloitte
Deloitte’s spring outlook projects Canada’s GDP expanding by just 1.2% in 2026, a slowdown from 1.7% the prior year, as the Iran‑related war and lingering trade uncertainty weigh on the economy. Energy price volatility and a softening labour market keep...
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: Is Canada Prepared for a Global Energy Shock?
Canada faces a looming energy shock as the Strait of Hormuz closure curtails roughly one‑fifth of global oil flow, prompting the United States to draw down 172 million barrels from its strategic reserve at a $20 billion cost. The op‑ed warns that...
Beyond Russian Oil, China Also Increases Appetite for Ukrainian Wheat Flour
China’s ambassador to Ukraine signed a protocol establishing inspection, quarantine and sanitary standards for Ukrainian wheat‑flour imports, expanding China’s agricultural trade with Kyiv. The agreement highlights the complementary nature of the two economies and signals a shift from raw‑grain shipments...
Beer Cans, Helium Balloons and Mortgages: An Unexpected Mix of Things Affected by War
The Iran‑War’s disruption of the Strait of Hormuz is rippling far beyond oil, driving up prices for aluminum, helium, fertilizer, sulfur and petrochemicals. Aluminum cans for beer and soda, helium for balloons and MRI machines, and key agricultural inputs are...
Seoul to Budapest: Asiana’s New Route Signals a Shift in Europe–Asia Travel
Asiana Airlines launched a twice‑weekly direct Seoul‑Budapest service on April 3, marking its ninth European destination and creating daily non‑stop connectivity alongside Korean Air. The route caters to both growing Korean tourism to Hungary and a solid base of business travel...
Geopolitics and Markets: Could Tensions Trigger Another Black Monday?
Professor Radu Tunaru examines how the Iran‑U.S. confrontation of 1987 sparked the Black Monday crash, highlighting that external geopolitical shocks, not just program trading, can trigger market meltdowns. He draws parallels to today’s Iran conflict, noting its impact on oil,...
Dollar Stablecoins versus a Retail Digital Euro? They Are Different – Not Rivals
The U.S. Congress enacted the GENIUS Act, requiring stablecoin issuers to back each token with short‑dated Treasury securities, effectively tying the burgeoning stablecoin market to U.S. sovereign debt. This framework mirrors the EU’s MiCA rules for electronic money tokens, but...
How the US–Iran War Is Disrupting LPG Supply in Meghalaya and Tripura
The US‑Iran conflict has choked the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for roughly 90% of India’s imported LPG, creating a supply shock. In the Northeast, Tripura and Meghalaya are seeing long queues as hospitals receive full quotas while commercial users...
Jamie Dimon Warns Iran War Could Keep Rates Higher for Longer — Why It Hits Your Money
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that a renewed conflict involving Iran could disrupt global energy markets, pushing oil prices higher and reigniting U.S. inflation. He explained that supply‑side shocks make inflation “sticky,” forcing the Federal Reserve to keep policy rates...
Trump Steps up Iran Threats as Deadline Approaches
President Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric toward Iran as a critical deadline looms on the nuclear agreement’s compliance schedule. In recent remarks, he warned Tehran of “serious consequences” if it fails to meet the stipulated benchmarks. The administration has simultaneously...
Profit in the Chaos: How Smarter Procurement Shields Companies in Turbulent Times
The article argues that rising geopolitical volatility has turned procurement into a strategic, risk‑management function rather than a back‑office cost‑center. Companies still rely on fragmented ERP, contract files, and spreadsheets, which leaves them vulnerable to sudden supplier disruptions, price spikes,...
India, Vietnam, Cambodia Rise as Apparel Hubs Amid Trade Protectionism
TradeBeyond’s 2026 Retail Sourcing report flags rising trade protectionism, especially U.S. tariffs, as a key driver reshaping global apparel supply chains. Manufacturers in India, Vietnam and Cambodia are gaining market share as brands seek alternatives to China. India posted a...
How Trump’s Iran Threat Is Hitting Oil, Inflation and Markets
President Donald Trump’s threat to eliminate Iran in a single night sparked an immediate surge in oil prices, pushing crude above $110 per barrel. Traders quickly priced in the heightened risk to the Strait of Hormuz, prompting equity markets to...
Tiger Global, Viking, Maverick Hit by March Market Turmoil
Several high‑profile hedge funds, including Tiger Global, Viking and Maverick, suffered steep losses in March as market volatility surged. The turmoil triggered the sector’s heaviest monthly drawdown in over four years, echoing broader Q1 challenges for equity‑heavy strategies. While some...
West Asia Conflict May Trigger Layered Stress on Margins, Liquidity in India's Financial Sector: EY
EY warns that the West Asia conflict will cascade through India’s financial services sector, creating layered stress on margins, liquidity, and asset quality. Early signs include longer supply chains, higher freight and insurance costs, and tighter working‑capital cycles. Second‑order effects...
Jamie Dimon Warns of “Significant Challenges”
J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned in his annual shareholder letter that the war in Iran could trigger oil and commodity price shocks, keeping inflation sticky and pushing interest rates above market expectations. He highlighted broader geopolitical risks, including Ukraine,...
Friction to Fracture: Iran War Breaks Indonesia-Iran Ties
Iran detained two Indonesian oil tankers, the VLCC Pertamina Pride and the PIS Gamsunoro, in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a diplomatic showdown. The seizure was linked to lingering grievances over Indonesia’s 2023 confiscation and upcoming auction of the Iranian‑flagged...
For Gulf States, Geography Is Both a Generous and Treacherous Patron
The article argues that the Gulf’s strategic location, which once turned deserts into petro‑states and global aviation hubs, is now a double‑edged sword as Iran’s strikes and the Strait of Hormuz blockage threaten energy exports and critical infrastructure. UAE and...
Eurozone April Sentix Investor Confidence -19.2 vs -9.0 Expected
Eurozone investor confidence plunged to -19.2 in April, far below the -9.0 forecast and the weakest reading since April 2025. The Sentix expectations index tumbled to -15.5 from +3.5 in March, while the current situation index slid to -22.8 from...
Research: UK Official Holdings of International Reserves: March 2026
The UK’s March 2026 statistical release shows official international reserves totaling £115.5 billion (approximately $148 billion), a 1.2% increase from the previous month. Gold holdings rose to 310 tonnes, valued at roughly $5.5 billion, while foreign‑currency assets grew on the back of higher US‑dollar positions....
China Continues to Pile Into Gold as Reserves Climb for a 17th Straight Month
China’s gold reserves rose to 74.38 million troy ounces in March, marking the 17th consecutive month of net purchases and bringing the total to roughly 2,300 metric tonnes. Although the ounce count increased, the reported value fell to $342.76 billion from...
Iran Calls for ‘Human Chains’ Around Its Power Plants Before US Deadline
President Donald Trump set an 8 pm EDT deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to bomb the country’s power plants and bridges if the demand is not met. Iran responded by urging 14 million citizens to volunteer and...
What Is Driving the Houthis’ Decision-Making on Joining the Iran War
The Houthis are navigating an internal split between a cautious camp that wants to limit engagement and a more activist faction eager to cement their role in Iran’s emerging "axis of resistance." Their hesitation stems from costly lessons learned during...
Iran War Jeopardizes U.S. Global Leadership, Warns Italian Minister
Italy’s defence minister Guido Crosetto warned that the escalating Iran conflict jeopardises U.S. global leadership, citing the danger of nuclear escalation. He highlighted Italy’s recent refusal to allow U.S. aircraft to use the Sigonella base for Middle‑East operations, reflecting broader NATO...
Seeking Safe Havens in a Risk-Averse Environment
CME Group released a video titled “Seeking Safe Havens in a Risk‑Averse Environment,” outlining how investors can use derivatives to protect capital amid heightened market volatility. The presentation stresses the growing demand for low‑correlation assets such as Treasury futures, gold...
Stagflation Is Food Manufacturing’s Worst-of-Both-Worlds Scenario
Stagflation is resurfacing in food manufacturing as soaring energy and fertilizer costs collide with waning consumer demand. Brent crude has rebounded above $90 a barrel, pushing the FAO Food Price Index up 2.4% in March 2026 and inflating raw‑material expenses....
Trump Floats US Toll on Hormuz
President Donald Trump suggested the United States could levy tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that moves about 20 % of global oil and LNG. The proposal would require a U.S. military presence despite the strait lying...
France March Final Services PMI 48.8 vs 48.3 Prelim
France's services Purchasing Managers' Index slipped to a final 48.8 in March, down from the preliminary 48.3 and well below the 49.6 reading in February. The decline was driven by a sharp drop in new business orders, with respondents citing...
Italy March Services PMI 48.8 vs 50.9 Expected
Italy’s services Purchasing Managers' Index slipped to 48.8 in March, well below the 50.9 forecast, signalling a contraction for the fourth time in 30 months. Output and new business fell sharply while input‑price inflation surged to its highest level in...
Black Sea Oil Hubs in Crosshairs After Drone Strikes
Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Russian oil export hubs in the Black Sea, striking the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk. The strikes damaged a single point mooring, loading infrastructure, four storage tanks, and six of seven berths at...
Gabriel Makhlouf: Bridge to the Future - Mobilising Europe's Savings in a Fragmenting World
Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, warned that Europe’s household deposits now total roughly $11 trillion, yet investment falls far short of the $818‑$872 billion needed annually by 2030. He linked this gap to weak growth, persistent Single Market...
François Villeroy De Galhau: Little Time Left to Wake up - Can We Reconcile Europe with Speed?
François Villeroy de Galhau used his final Eurofi speech as Governor of the Banque de France to warn that Europe is running out of time to act on known reforms. He stressed that the continent knows what must be done,...
UK Business Confidence Hits Record Low
The Institute of Directors’ Economic Confidence Index plunged to a record low of –76 in March, down from –63 in February, while confidence in individual organisations turned negative for the first time in months. Cost‑expectations surged to +88, the second‑highest...
Ida Wolden Bache: Policy Rate Kept Unchanged at This Meeting
Norway’s central bank, Norges Bank, left its policy rate unchanged at 4 percent, citing persistent inflation above the 2 percent target and heightened uncertainty from rising energy prices. The committee warned that a rate increase is likely in upcoming meetings as wage...
Could Canada Join the EU? Most Canadians Would Not Rule It Out
A Spark Advocacy poll shows roughly half of Canadians consider EU membership worth exploring, while only 17% outright reject the idea. France’s foreign minister hinted Canada could become a future EU candidate, signaling diplomatic openness. The poll reflects growing curiosity...
Gold Tracks More Sideways Awaiting Further US-Iran Developments
Gold hovered around $4,640 on the day, slipping just 0.1% and remaining trapped in the $4,600‑$4,700 band that formed after last week’s drop. The metal tested the 100‑hour moving average near $4,660, while the daily 200‑day average around $4,658 continues...
Carolyn Rogers: An Anchor of Stability in Uncertain Times
Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers addressed the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, warning that Canada faces three structural forces—U.S. protectionism, demographic slowdown, and artificial intelligence—that are reshaping the economy. She highlighted how trade‑policy volatility, especially Chinese canola tariffs and the upcoming...
Serbia, Hungary and North Macedonia Sign MoU with Focus on BuBe Railway
Serbian rail freight operator Srbija Kargo, Hungary’s Rail Cargo Hungaria and North Macedonia’s railway signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a synchronized rail service focused on the Budapest‑Belgrade line. The corridor, opened for freight in February, is positioned as...
Exclusive-Russia Supplies Iran with Cyber Support, Spy Imagery to Hone Attacks, Ukraine Says
Russian reconnaissance satellites conducted at least 24 passes over 46 military and critical sites in 11 Middle Eastern countries during March 21‑31, sharing high‑resolution imagery with Iran. The data preceded Iranian missile and drone attacks on bases, including a strike on...
What Are the Main Events for Today?
The final PMI releases for the eurozone and the United Kingdom showed rising inflation and a slowdown in economic activity, confirming earlier preliminary trends. Market reaction is expected to be muted as investors focus on escalating US‑Iran tensions. In the...
India Plans Sovereign Guarantees on Loans to Businesses Hit by Iran War, Sources Say
India will issue sovereign credit guarantees for up to $26.7 bn in loans to firms hurt by the Iran‑Israel conflict, targeting especially small and medium‑size enterprises. The program, modeled on pandemic‑era guarantees, will run for four years and cost the treasury...
FAO Warns Global Food Prices Will Continue to Increase if Iran War Lasts
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the Food Price Index rose 2.4% in March, its highest level since September 2022, as oil‑driven energy costs lift commodity prices. Wheat prices jumped 4.3% while fertilizer cost pressures threaten planting decisions in...
Oil Shock Pushes Thailand’s Inflation Toward Positive Territory
Thailand’s year‑long deflation streak is weakening as oil price spikes and Middle East supply disruptions feed through to consumer prices. The Commerce Ministry reported a 0.08 % year‑over‑year decline in the CPI for March, the twelfth consecutive month of falling prices...
Singapore Minister Warned Worst Case Not Fully Priced
Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan warned that the war in Iran could trigger a deeper energy shock than markets currently anticipate. He highlighted that Singapore generates over 95% of its electricity from imported natural gas, with roughly half of...
EU Lumber Exports to UAE Slid 14% — Then the Strait of Hormuz Closed
European lumber exports to the UAE fell 14% in January, dropping to 29,500 cubic metres, while the average price rose 6% to $332 per cubic metre, 20% above a year earlier. The decline coincides with the closure of the Strait...
China Started Preparing for an Energy Crisis Long Before the Iran War
China has been quietly building a buffer against energy disruptions for years, stockpiling oil and accelerating renewable projects. Its aggressive shift toward solar, wind, hydro and electric vehicles has already cut domestic demand for refined oil, diesel and gasoline. Simultaneously,...