Iran War a Setback for Super Returns as Investors Brace for Fallout
The escalation of the US‑Israel conflict with Iran has pushed global equity markets down more than 5%, dragging Australian superannuation returns lower. Median growth‑option super funds fell about 3% in March, leaving the financial‑year return at roughly 3.3%, while balanced portfolios slipped 2.85% since the war began. Although the market reaction is milder than the 2023 tariff‑induced panic, heightened oil prices keep volatility elevated. Fund managers are urging members to stay the course and avoid premature de‑risking amid the turbulence.
As Iran War Disrupts the Gulf, India's Growth Story Faces New Risks
India’s rapid economic rise is now threatened by the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran, which jeopardizes the Gulf’s oil and gas supplies that account for 40 % of its oil and 80 % of its gas imports. Disruptions to export routes and a...
Shockwave of War Is Rippling Through the Global Economy
The first collective economic health check since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran is underway, with purchasing‑manager indexes (PMIs) across the U.S., euro zone and other major economies expected to fall. Rising energy prices from disrupted shipping and production are...
Could Ultra-Precise Harvest Forecast Give China an Advantage in Iran War Fallout?
China’s grain‑output forecasting system, honed over 46 years, now predicts national harvests with sub‑0.2% error, far outpacing the 5‑10% margins typical in the West. The model’s April release gives Beijing a six‑month lead before the autumn harvest, allowing pre‑emptive moves...
Premier Li Qiang Calls for a Global Pledge to Open up, While ‘Power Politics’ Runs Rampant
At the opening of the China Development Forum 2026, Premier Li Qiang called for a global pledge to deepen economic openness, warning that protectionism is not a cure for current challenges. He indirectly rebuked the United States, suggesting its trade...
Will the Houthis Join Iran in War Against Israel and the US?
The Houthis, known as Ansar Allah, have so far avoided direct involvement in the US‑Israel‑Iran war but recent statements suggest they are reconsidering. Their political bureau said “all options are on the table,” hinting at possible alignment with Iran against...
Iran Missiles Hit Southern Israel, Injuring More than 100
Iran launched two missiles that struck the Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona, injuring more than 100 people, including civilians and a child. The attack damaged residential structures and hit the area believed to house Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, prompting...
Business Investment in the Era of Digital Transformation
Business investment across the OECD has remained weak since the Global Financial Crisis, but digital assets—hardware, software and databases—have surged. Real digital investment rose over 130% since 2007, outpacing non‑digital tangible investment, which barely moved. The United States leads the...
‘They Want to Colonise Us’: Brazil’s Lula Warns of Foreign Interference
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned at the CELAC summit that foreign powers are attempting to “colonise” Latin America by targeting critical minerals and rare earths. He cited U.S. actions such as the January 3 abduction of Venezuela’s Nicolás...
WHO Says Attack on Sudan Hospital Killed 64, Including 13 Children
The World Health Organization reported that an attack on Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur killed at least 64 people, including 13 children, and wounded 89 others. The strike destroyed the hospital’s paediatric, maternity and emergency units, rendering the...
Fed Rate Cut Chance Hits Zero, Threatening Stagflation Where Bitcoin Thrives as a Hedge Against Long Term Inflation
Traders now price a greater than 60% chance the Federal Reserve will raise rates by October, after the March meeting left the policy range unchanged. A surge in Brent crude above $109 per barrel has pushed 10‑year Treasury yields to...
Shockwave of War Is Rippling Through the Global Economy
The outbreak of war in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through the global economy, prompting the first coordinated health check via business surveys across the United States and the euro zone. Bloomberg’s median forecast expects every purchasing managers index...
North Korean Shipments of Shells to Russia Tail Off
Analysis by the Open Source Centre traced four sanctioned vessels that have moved between 8 million and 11 million North Korean artillery rounds to Russia since September 2023. The ships—Angara, Maia‑1, Maria and Lady R—used deceptive AIS filings that listed South Korean ports while...
Shared Radar: Maritime Supply Chain Visibility in a Weaponized World
The article presents the Virtual Watch Tower (VWT) as a new, federated model for maritime and intermodal supply‑chain visibility, positioning it against proprietary control towers, state‑run platforms, and defence‑only networks. VWT treats situational awareness as a public good, using the...
Live: Trump Gives Iran a 48-Hour Deadline to Open the Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum giving Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. The deadline follows Iran’s closure of the waterway in response to the US‑Israel war on Iran, and Tehran warned it would...
Ross Gerber Warns Inflation's Persistence Diminishes Market Optimism For Stocks And Bonds
Market strategist Ross Gerber warned that persistent inflation is dampening optimism for both equities and bonds. He observed a surge in selling pressure, indicating investors are turning more bearish. Gerber stressed that inflation is unlikely to subside soon, undermining the...
G7 Ready to Act to Protect Global Energy Supplies, Backs Hormuz Strait Security
The G7 foreign ministers declared they are prepared to take necessary steps to safeguard global energy supplies and secure key maritime routes, notably the Strait of Hormuz. They condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure and voiced support for...
The Sunday Read: Why the Reserve Bank Needs to Be More Cautious - Podcast
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced another interest‑rate increase as inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures intensify, compounded by geopolitical risks from the war in Iran. Independent economist Nicki Hutley, featured in Guardian Australia’s “Full Story” podcast, argued the central bank should...
Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street - Friday, March 20
On March 20, Fox Business aired the latest episode of Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street. The 20‑minute program gathered leading Wall Street analysts to dissect current economic trends and market outlooks. Highlights included commentary on inflation, Federal Reserve policy, and the...
Nepal Poll Verdict a Chance to Reset India Ties After Lean Phase: Ex-PM Bhattarai
Former Nepalese prime minister Baburam Bhattarai says the recent general election, which delivered a landslide victory to rapper‑turned‑politician Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party, marks a political reset for Nepal. He argues the new mandate offers a chance to revive India‑Nepal...
Kneecap Arrive in Cuba to ‘Shine a Light’ on ‘Collective Punishment’ by US
Irish rap group Kneecap joined an international aid convoy to Cuba, delivering 300 kg of humanitarian supplies and using their platform to denounce the U.S. embargo as collective punishment. The visit comes as Cuba’s power grid suffered a total blackout after...
UK Says Its Bases on Cyprus Will Not Be Used in Offensive Operations, Cypriot Spokesperson Says
Britain announced that its sovereign bases on Cyprus will not be employed for offensive operations amid the escalating Iran crisis, a position reiterated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a call with President Nikos Christodoulides. The statement follows a Shahed‑type...
Simply Put: Bear Flattening
The U.S. Treasury market is experiencing a bear‑flattening episode, where short‑term yields have risen faster than long‑term yields. Over the past three days the 2‑year yield jumped 23 basis points while the 10‑year climbed 18 basis points, widening the short‑term...
Trump’s Economic Shocks Are Derailing Britain’s Building Plans
US President Donald Trump's recent geopolitical moves—including the Iran conflict and renewed tariffs—are reverberating through the UK economy. Glenigan data shows the value of new construction projects fell by more than a third in the three months to February, with...
In an Era of Closed Skies, Airlines Look to Fly Farther Than Ever
Airlines are deploying Boeing’s 777X ultra‑long‑haul jets as geopolitical tensions make traditional great‑circle routes unreliable. The aircraft’s 18‑hour range enables nonstop links such as Singapore‑New York and opens new possibilities between Australia‑Europe and Southeast Asia‑North America. Closed Russian airspace and volatile Middle‑East corridors...
Iran Says Ready to Discuss Hormuz Passage with Japan
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Kyodo News that Tehran will discuss safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Japan and any nation that has not attacked Iran. He emphasized the strait remains open for non‑enemy vessels, while it...
Gulf Producers Urge US to Tackle Hormuz Closure Head-On
Gulf oil producers are urging the United States to confront the Hormuz blockage directly, warning that temporary "oil‑on‑water" licences aid Iran while constraining regional exporters. They cite roughly 140 million barrels of Iranian crude stranded at sea and argue that without...
Uncovering Opportunity Amidst Rates Repricing
The escalation of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran has disrupted oil supplies, prompting a reassessment of U.S. interest‑rate expectations. Market participants now price a modest probability of a Fed rate hike, pushing the MOVE index higher and widening rate‑volatility...
West Asia Conflict May Trigger Global Inflation Shock if Disruptions Spread; India Relatively Insulated: SBI Research
SBI Research warns that an expanding West Asia conflict could reignite global inflation by disrupting energy markets, trade routes and supply chains. While the immediate price impact may be modest, prolonged hostilities risk broader macro‑economic fallout. India appears relatively insulated...
India & China “Bypass” Iran’s Near-Blockade of Strait of Hormuz; Secure Exceptions as Oil Traffic Drops By 95%
Iran has effectively sealed the Strait of Hormuz, slashing daily oil‑tanker traffic by roughly 95% since early March 2026. The closure has pushed crude prices above $100 a barrel and disrupted about 20% of global oil and LNG flows. Despite...
Global Markets to Remain Driven by West Asia Conflict, Fed Neutral Guidance Reflects Uncertainty: Report
Global markets remain dominated by the West Asia conflict, keeping risk aversion high across asset classes. The Federal Reserve held policy rates steady, offering only modest guidance for 25‑basis‑point cuts in 2026 and 2027, and emphasized a data‑dependent stance. Elevated...
Don't Panic, Stay Invested: NSE's Harish Ahuja Advices Retail Investors Amid Global Market Volatility
Harish K. Ahuja, head of sustainability at NSE, urged retail investors to stay calm amid a 7‑10% global market correction tied to geopolitical tensions. He emphasized that India’s fundamentals—strong GDP growth, low inflation, and robust industrial activity—remain solid despite short‑term...
FPIs Pull Out ₹35,475 Cr This Week From Indian Markets, March Outflows Hit ₹88,180 Cr
Foreign portfolio investors withdrew ₹35,475 crore from Indian equities this week, taking March’s cumulative outflow to ₹88,180 crore – the highest monthly net withdrawal recorded in 2026. The sell‑off accelerated after a Monday outflow of ₹10,827 crore and ended with a Friday dump...
Iran Ready to Let Japanese Vessels Transit Hormuz, Kyodo Reports
Iran has signaled willingness to permit Japanese‑flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil shipments. The offer follows phone talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Japanese officials amid heightened tensions from the...
Kudlow - Friday, March 20
Larry Kuddown hosts Fox Business' "Kudlow" on March 20, delivering a 36‑minute episode that examines domestic and global economic policies. The program features real‑time market analysis, fiscal and monetary commentary, and interviews with industry experts. It airs on the Fox...
US-Iran War Effect: S&P 500 Lost over $1 Trillion Market Cap Last Week, Crashes 5.83% in One Month
The S&P 500 slipped more than 2.5% last week, erasing over $1 trillion in market capitalisation as fears of a US‑Iran war intensified. In the past month the index has fallen 5.83%, wiping out roughly $3 trillion. The benchmark also broke below its...
EWZ: The Case For Brazilian Equities In 2026
Analysts upgrade iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) to BUY, citing the central bank’s monetary easing and expanding trade ties with China and the EU. The fund offers a 4.2% dividend yield and stands to benefit from the upcoming EU‑Mercosur free‑trade...
EWZ: The Case For Brazilian Equities In 2026
FinHeim Research rates the iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) a BUY, citing anticipated monetary easing and expanding trade ties with China and the EU. The fund trades at $35.06, offers a 4.22% dividend yield and holds $9.3 B in assets, positioning...
Hormuz Shock Hits India's Oil Lifeline
India’s crude oil imports plunged 23% in the first half of March as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, sharply curtailing Gulf deliveries. Refiners responded by nearly doubling purchases from Russia, which now accounts for about 44% of total imports,...
Cambodia Boosts Fuel Imports From Singapore, Malaysia
Cambodia is ramping up fuel imports from Singapore and Malaysia to offset shortages triggered by the ongoing Middle‑East conflict. After a peak where roughly one‑third of its 6,300 stations temporarily closed, closures have fallen to 5.77 %. Imports of gasoline and...
Our Underappreciated International Reserve System
The latest NBER paper shows a pronounced shift in the composition of global foreign‑exchange reserves. The U.S. dollar’s share slipped below 57% in Q3 2025, while gold overtook the euro to become the second‑largest reserve asset. Central banks are diversifying into...
Central Banking for Open Economies in a Changed World
The Peterson Institute for International Economics convened a high‑level panel of central bank governors from New Zealand, Spain, Korea and Switzerland to examine open‑economy monetary policy in a rapidly shifting financial and geopolitical climate. Moderated by former Bank of Ireland governor...
The Realities of Economic Security
The Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a live discussion titled “The Realities of Economic Security,” moderated by Anjali Bhatt. Experts Warwick McKibbin, Cullen Hendrix, and Jacob Funk Kirkegaard presented macroeconomic scenarios on the Middle East conflict, commodity‑supply vulnerabilities, and Europe’s policy dilemma between...
Trump Signals Endgame in Iran, Says Hormuz Security Will Fall on ‘Nations Who Use It’
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. operations against Iran are nearing completion and that the United States will step back from directly policing the Strait of Hormuz. He said the waterway will be guarded by nations that use it, with...
How the Iran War Reveals the Extent of Fossil Fuel Propaganda
Oil prices are edging toward $100 a barrel for Brent crude as the Iran war disrupts the Strait of Hormuz, pushing national gasoline averages to $3.91 and squeezing low‑income households. Economists warn the ripple effect will raise costs for everything...
Beef and Car Duties on the Line, as Von Der Leyen Hopes for Australia Trade Pact
The EU is set to finalize a trade pact with Australia early next week, coinciding with President Ursula von der Leyen’s Canberra visit. Negotiators have narrowed the agenda to a few remaining issues, notably beef and lamb quotas and the...
The Economic and Political Traps Awaiting Aging Societies
Aging populations are converging across high‑income and middle‑income nations, while low‑income countries contend with a burgeoning youth cohort. Advanced economies face soaring old‑age dependency ratios, and emerging economies are poised for a faster, sharper workforce decline than the West experienced....
US LNG Sector Sees Risks From Surge in Prices
The war in Iran and attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan terminal have driven European spot LNG prices above $20 per million British thermal units, more than double pre‑conflict levels. This price surge fuels concerns that volatility could erode buyer confidence...
Argentina's LPG Exports to India More than Double
Argentina exported 50,000 metric tonnes of LPG to India in the first quarter of 2026, more than double the 22,000 tonnes shipped to the country in all of 2025. The surge reflects Argentina’s steady rise in LPG output, which reached...
US Resin Shippers Look to Tap New Customers Amid Iran War
U.S. resin exporters are seeing a surge in container bookings as the Iran‑Israel conflict disrupts the Middle East’s dominant plastics supply chain. On March 16, Vizion recorded 6,191 daily export bookings, nearly double the 3,500‑4,500 range typical for 2026. The first...