Why the Reduction in SED
Since the West Asia conflict began, Brent crude has surged from roughly $73 to $109 per barrel, a 49% increase. In response, India’s Centre trimmed the special additional excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre (about $0.12), aiming to offset OMCs’ under‑recoveries. While the duty cut eases corporate cash‑flow, it represents a direct fiscal loss for the government. The policy reflects a compromise where OMCs, the state, and eventually consumers share the burden of the prolonged supply shock.
Hormuz Ship Traffic Stays Frozen Despite Move to Start Fees
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains virtually halted four weeks into the Iran‑Israel conflict, with only six vessels recorded on March 26 versus the pre‑war average of nearly 60 daily transits in 2025. Iran announced a toll system demanding...
The Eastern Mediterranean Won’t Replace Russian or Gulf Gas—But It Can Be Europe’s Energy Shock Absorber
Europe has cut Russian gas imports by 90% since 2021 and aims to end them by November 2027. To replace the lost volume, the continent now relies on LNG, exposing it to global shipping chokepoints. The Eastern Mediterranean basin, with...
ECB Schnabel: There Is No Need to Rush Into Action
European Central Bank Vice President Isabel Schnabel warned that Europe is confronting a massive energy price shock but cautioned against hasty policy moves. She emphasized that the ECB has sufficient time to assess incoming data before deciding on any rate...
Global Inflation Fears Rise as Goldman Sachs Predicts ECB Rate Hikes and US Prices May Top 4%
Goldman Sachs now expects the European Central Bank to lift rates twice in 2026, with 25‑basis‑point moves likely starting in April. The bank also warns that U.S. consumer prices could climb above 4% later this year as geopolitical tensions stoke...
February Trade Deficit at 9-Month Low
The Philippines recorded a $3.68 billion trade deficit in February, the lowest level in nine months and down from the $4.27 billion shortfall in January. Export sales rose 8% year‑on‑year to $7.33 billion, driven by a 20.5% jump in electronic products, while imports...
Iranian Steel Plants Damaged by Air Strikes
Iranian steelmakers Khouzestan Steel and Mobarakeh Steel were hit by air strikes attributed to the US and Israel, damaging storage silos, a substation, an alloy‑steel line and power infrastructure. The attacks are expected to reduce billet and slab production and...
Brazil Imposes Duties on US, Canada PE
Brazil’s foreign‑trade chamber approved definitive antidumping duties on polyethylene imports from the United States and Canada, fixing rates at $199.04 per metric tonne for U.S. resin and $238.49 for Canadian resin for the next five years. The decision caps the...
With Odds of a Recession Going Up, Here Are 5 Things Small Businesses Should Do Now
Moody’s Analytics now sees recession odds edging past 50%, while Goldman Sachs estimates a 30% chance of a downturn in the next year as higher oil prices and a cooling labor market converge. Small businesses, lacking the cash buffers of...
WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre Sounds Alarm: Latin America’s Trillion-Dollar Future Hinges on Fixing Infrastructure Failures
At the Future Investment Initiative in Miami, WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre warned that Latin America’s trillion‑dollar growth prospects depend on fixing chronic infrastructure gaps. The council estimates the region must invest about $150 billion each year—roughly 2.4 % of GDP—to close shortfalls...
Fitch Keeps Israel Credit Rating at A with Negative Outlook as War Costs Mount
Fitch reaffirmed Israel’s sovereign credit rating at A with a negative outlook on March 27, 2026, citing escalating war costs and fiscal strain. The agency highlighted that the ongoing Operation Lion’s Roar and northern front clashes forced Israel to exceed its budget...
Tata Motors, BMW Among Automakers Set to Raise Prices in India
Tata Motors, BMW, Audi and other automakers will raise vehicle prices in India next month as material and logistics costs surge amid Middle‑East tensions and a weakening rupee. Tata plans up to a 1.5% hike for commercial vehicles and a...
Economist Nouriel Roubini: Trump Is Likely to Escalate the Iran War — Risking '1970s Stagflation'
Renowned economist Nouriel Roubini warned that President Donald Trump is likely to intensify the war with Iran, despite a recently extended pause on energy‑facility attacks. Roubini argues that escalation could trigger oil shocks and a return to 1970s‑style stagflation if...
Energy Crisis and Conflict Drag Down Global Growth in 2026
Prometeia’s latest outlook warns that the Iran‑Hormuz conflict and resulting energy shock are eroding global growth in 2026. Euro‑area GDP is trimmed to 0.8%, a 0.4‑point downgrade, as gas reserves dwindle and inflation‑driven recovery stalls. The United States is projected...
Australia, International Broadcasting, and the Maintenance of Regional Trust
As the United States pulls back its media assistance in the Indo‑Pacific, China is expanding its state‑linked broadcasting, putting Australia’s soft‑power role under pressure. The Pacific Security and Engagement Initiatives (PSEI) – AU$32 million (≈$21 M USD) over four years – is...
WTO at ’Critical Juncture’ and Needs Deep Reform, EU and CPTPP Say
The European Union and the 12‑nation CPTPP bloc issued a joint statement at the WTO ministerial in Yaoundé, calling the organization’s future a "critical juncture" that demands urgent, deep, and inclusive reform. Both groups highlighted concerns over market‑distorting practices, oversupply,...
Blink and Miss: Trump’s Tactic of Threats First and U-Turn Later Is Proving Stale in Iran War
President Trump threatened to bomb Iran's civilian power grid, sending Brent crude above $112 a barrel and spiking U.S. stock futures before abruptly reversing the order and postponing the strike. The sudden policy flip caused the S&P 500 to jump...
Airlines Are Facing yet More Turbulence. An Expert Assesses What It Will Take to Survive
The ongoing Middle East conflict has wiped about $53 bn off the market value of the world’s 20 largest airlines in just three weeks, while jet fuel prices have jumped from $87 to $150‑$200 per barrel, doubling one of the sector’s...
Tariff Impacts on Overall Economy Muted in 2025 As Importers Footed the Bill
The Trump administration’s IEEPA tariffs surged to an 80‑year high in 2025, generating $264 billion in revenue—more than triple the previous year. Despite average rates climbing from 2.4 % to 9.6 %, the overall impact on U.S. GDP was muted, estimated at only...
Most Grocers Are Passing Tariff Costs to Customers
Tariffs are eroding grocery margins, with 76% of retailers passing at least part of the added cost onto shoppers. While 69% of respondents say tariffs slightly affected profitability, 17% report a significant hit, prompting supply‑chain tweaks and supplier diversification. Retailer...
The Global Economy’s Many Chokepoints
The article warns that the global economy’s drive for efficiency has created fragile single points of failure, exemplified by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one‑fifth of world oil and a quarter of fertilizer. This...
Average UK Petrol Price Hits 150p for First Time Since 2024; Trump’s Latest Iran Extension Fails to Calm Oil Market...
UK average petrol price reached 150.11 pence per litre (≈£1.50/$1.88), with diesel at 177.68 pence (≈£1.78/$2.22), the highest levels since May 2024. The surge, tied to the Iran‑Israel conflict and rising crude, is inflating motorists’ travel costs and feeding broader inflation worries. At...
Chinese Market Regulator Tells Firms to Focus on Healthy Competition Overseas
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation urged major exporters such as BYD and CATL to adopt healthier, fair‑competition practices as they expand abroad. The regulator highlighted the need to curb “involution‑style” competition that squeezes margins and forces costly overseas moves....
Boao and Qionghai Where Global Dialogue Meets Free Trade
From March 24‑27, Boao’s Dongyu Island Cultural Park hosted the “Boao: Where the World Meets, Qionghai: Where Free Trade Thrives” city exhibition, the first showcase since Hainan Free Trade Port’s island‑wide customs launch. The event highlighted Qionghai’s role as a...
Gold, Silver Prices Crash up to 27% in a Month Amid US-Iran War: Is the Bull Run in Bullion Market...
Gold has slumped 16% and silver 27% over the past month, despite heightened US‑Iran tensions. The drop stems from liquidity squeezes and waning expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, which have lifted the dollar and real yields. Analysts note the...
Small Businesses Say Tariffs Still Hurting a Year After ‘Liberation Day’
One year after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs took effect, small‑business owners report ongoing pain from $140 billion in duties ruled illegal by the Supreme Court. Refunds for those tariffs remain unpaid, while the administration has substituted new duties under sections...
'Ripple of Fear' Over Iran War Hits Consumer Confidence
GfK's March Consumer Confidence Barometer shows UK confidence falling to minus 21, the lowest in months. The drop coincides with a 0.4% decline in February retail sales and rising energy costs, as Brent crude jumped 50% to $110 per barrel. Higher...
Rewiring the Caribbean for a Digital Future
Caribbean governments are targeting digital infrastructure to diversify economies, with the Inter‑American Development Bank estimating a potential 12% GDP boost from improved connectivity. Mobile internet remains uneven, and analysts say roughly $1 billion is needed to achieve 5G parity by 2030,...
Inflation Rises Y-O-Y in Pahang, Terengganu Across Housing, Utilities, and Essentials in February 2026
Malaysia's Department of Statistics reported that Pahang's consumer price index rose to 2.1% year‑on‑year in February 2026, while Terengganu's inflation climbed to 1.6% year‑on‑year in January 2026. Both states saw price pressures in housing, utilities, and self‑care services, with Pahang...
EU–US Turnberry Trade Deal Threatens Imports: CEOs Face Rising Costs
The European Parliament approved four conditional clauses—suspension, sunrise, sunset, and safeguards—within the Turnberry trade deal, giving the EU power to pause or revoke US tariff benefits if Washington fails to meet its commitments. The clauses could instantly raise tariffs on...
As West Asia Makes up 1/5th of India’s Agricultural Exports, Govt Monitoring Closely, Says Jitin Prasada
India’s agricultural exports to West Asia, encompassing the GCC and neighboring countries, reached $10.68 billion in FY 2024‑25, representing 20.5% of total agri shipments. Processed‑food shipments to the Gulf grew 18% year‑on‑year, while exports to the EU rose 49.5% over the...
The New Geography of Money: How Cross-Border Payments Are Being Reinvented
Cross‑border payments are undergoing a fundamental shift as fintech innovators replace legacy banking corridors with real‑time, low‑cost networks. New infrastructure—blockchain ledgers, API‑driven platforms, and regulated e‑money licences—cuts settlement times from days to seconds. Traditional banks are partnering with or acquiring...
Sri Lanka Apparel Sector Exports Fall on Global Demand Decline
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports slipped 6.91% in January‑February 2026, with the EU market leading the decline at 19.48%. Shipments to the US and UK fell more modestly, while regional peers such as Bangladesh experienced a 25.25% drop in EU shipments....
Russia Survived without SWIFT, but that Doesn’t Mean It Won
Russia’s banks were cut off from the SWIFT network in 2022, prompting the country to rely on its domestic messaging system, SPFS. While SPFS kept internal payments flowing and softened the immediate shock, it did not replicate SWIFT’s global reach,...
Emerging Markets Optimism Hits Record High, but Geopolitical Risks Temper Outlook
HSBC’s latest Emerging Markets Sentiment Survey shows optimism reaching a record high, with 68% of investors bullish on EM assets over the next three months, up from 63% previously. The survey recorded zero bearish responses, marking the 14th consecutive reading...
EU Customs Overhaul Targets Fashion Parcel Surge
The European Union is revamping its customs code to tighten control over the flood of low‑cost fashion parcels entering the bloc. Under the new rules, online marketplaces such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress will be liable for customs duties, product...
Next Africa: Why War In Iran Risks a Farming Crisis (Podcast)
The Bloomberg Next Africa podcast warns that the war in Iran could trigger a farming crisis across the continent. Iran supplies a large share of the world’s nitrogen‑based fertilizers, and conflict threatens to choke off those exports. African growers, already...
UK April Price Rises 2026: 9 Moves to Stop Losing Money Now
As the UK tax year closes on 5 April 2026, Finance Monthly outlines nine actions households can take to avoid losing thousands of pounds. With tax thresholds frozen, wages rising only nominally and inflation eroding real income, missed opportunities such as...
Interdependence Bites Back
The Iranian drone strike on March 11, 2026 ignited a massive fire at Oman’s Salalah oil storage facility, curtailing regional oil output. The disruption sent Brent crude above $90 per barrel, prompting immediate price spikes across global markets. Analysts now see the...
Goldman Sachs Warns Markets Are ‘Fragile’ Despite Resilience
Goldman Sachs warns that global markets, while appearing stable, sit on a fragile foundation of rising volatility, tighter financial conditions, and surging oil prices. Indicators show the S&P 500 down about 5%, volatility scores near 9.5/10, and short positions at...
Trump’s Iran War Pushes India to Rekindle Old Friendship with Russia
India is moving to revive its energy partnership with Russia, negotiating a direct LNG supply deal despite the risk of violating Western sanctions. The talks follow a recent surge in Russian crude purchases, which could rise to 40% of India’s...
6 Asia-Pacific Financial Centers Rank Among World's Top 10, with Singapore Leading Southeast Asia
The 39th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) placed six Asia‑Pacific locations among the world’s top ten, with Hong Kong at third and Singapore at fourth, the only Southeast Asian city in the elite group. Shanghai and Shenzhen secured ninth and...
Iran War Shows China’s Urgent Need to Plug Maritime Insurance Gap: Expert
Recent conflicts, from the US‑Israel war on Iran to the Russia‑Ukraine crisis, have highlighted China's dependence on foreign maritime insurance providers. Expert Chen Jihong warned that while China excels in shipbuilding hardware, its "software"—legal and financial services like insurance—remains underdeveloped....
ECB Consumer Expectations Survey Results – February 2026
Euro area consumers’ February 2026 Consumer Expectations Survey shows inflation expectations easing slightly, with the median 12‑month outlook falling to 2.5% from 2.6% and the three‑year horizon also at 2.5%. Perceived inflation over the past year stayed at 3.0%, while nominal...
Russia Sells Gold Bars for First Time in 25 Years to Fund Budget Deficit Amid High Military Spending: Report
Russia’s central bank has begun selling physical gold for the first time in 25 years, offloading 300,000 ounces in January and 200,000 ounces in February 2026. The combined gold and foreign‑currency sales since 2022 total roughly $185 billion, pushing gold reserves...
WTO Meeting in Cameroon Signals the Rise of a ‘World Minus One’ Order
The WTO’s 14th ministerial conference in Yaoundé produced only a skeletal draft, underscoring the organization’s limited immediate output. More significant was the symbolism of a multilateral forum convening in Africa as the United States steps back from WTO leadership. China...
Governments Controlling Prices? It Has Long Been Unthinkable – but May Now Be Inevitable | Andy Beckett
Governments that once shunned price controls are reconsidering them as repeated inflation shocks strain households. Mexico and Spain have introduced caps on essential goods and rent freezes, helping ruling parties boost electoral support. In the UK, Labour, Greens and some...
Resilience and Readiness Across the Sterling Monetary Framework
The Bank of England is deepening its repo‑led, demand‑driven liquidity framework, with market‑wide facilities now supplying roughly a quarter of sterling reserves. Short‑Term Repo borrowing averages about £100 billion ($125 bn) and Indexed Long‑Term Repo about £70 billion ($87.5 bn) each auction, while the...
Rates Spark: The EUR Curve Is at a Delicate Balance
Eurozone short‑term rates are climbing in lockstep with Brent oil, which has stayed above $100 per barrel, while longer‑dated rates show signs of strain. The 2‑year‑to‑5‑year segment is flattening and could invert if oil breaches $120, suggesting a potential ECB...
Thai Factory Output Unexpectedly Dips in February, Could Rise in March
Thailand's manufacturing production index fell 0.04% year‑on‑year in February, missing a 2.4% Reuters poll forecast after a 1.64% rise in January. The dip was driven by temporary refinery maintenance that trimmed petroleum output and a slowdown in car production. Ministry...