Luke Forau: 2026 Monetary Policy Stance
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) announced an accommodative monetary stance for the next six months, introducing a new policy rate of 1.5% as a primary signal to the market. Growth for 2025 was revised up to 3.6% and the 2026 outlook was lifted to 3.8%, driven by mining, agriculture and services. Inflation, which fell to 1.6% in late 2025, is projected to rise briefly in early 2026 before settling around 3.4% by year‑end. Foreign reserves now cover roughly 12 months of imports, while public debt stands at $4.2 bn.
Advisors May Be Watching the War, but Market's Tariff Troubles Remain
The Supreme Court overturned key Trump tariffs, eliminating roughly $1.7 trillion in projected revenue through 2036 and raising concerns about a national debt surge to $58 trillion, or 125% of GDP. In response, the White House invoked a temporary 10‑15% emergency tariff...
Chang Yong Rhee: The Future of Asia - Can It Remain the Engine of Global Growth?
In a keynote at the IMF‑Bank of Thailand “Asia in 2050” conference, Bank of Korea Governor Chang Yong Rhee highlighted Asia’s remarkable economic transformation since 1991. Per‑capita GDP across the region has risen nearly eightfold, lifting more than 1.2 billion people...
Is A New Global Apparel Industry Emerging?
Robert Antoshak argues that a new global apparel ecosystem is forming as manufacturers scramble to bypass volatile tariff regimes. Companies are reshoring, leveraging digital cut‑and‑sew platforms, and adopting sustainable fibers to meet shifting consumer expectations. Trade policy volatility is prompting...
War in Middle East May Press Pause on Bank Deal Boom
Bank merger‑and‑acquisition activity surged in 2025, but the war in Iran has introduced sharp stock‑price volatility that threatens to stall the consolidation wave. Falling bank‑stock values erode the equity currency traditionally used to fund deals, pushing pricing down and making...
BSP Feted for ‘Modern Approach’ to Managing Foreign Reserves
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) received a Central Banking Publications award for its modern approach to foreign‑reserve management. The accolade recognizes the bank’s recent overhaul of its reserve‑management framework, featuring a refreshed strategic asset allocation, active risk‑management techniques, and...
Turkish Current Account Deficit Jumps After Methodological Revision
Turkey's current account posted a $6.8 bn deficit in January, far above the $4.8 bn forecast and analysts' $5.4 bn estimate. The gap was amplified by the Central Bank of Turkey's methodological change, which has retroactively added $8.9 bn to interest‑payment calculations since September 2020....
Middle East War Threatens African Agriculture
The Middle East war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have driven oil prices to $87‑$120 a barrel and disrupted Gulf fertilizer exports. Fertilizer futures jumped over 10% on the first trading day, with analysts expecting a 17%...
Tiff Macklem: New Players, Old Risks - Financial Stability in a Changing Landscape
Tiff Macklem warned that the financial system’s growing reliance on non‑bank players is creating new systemic vulnerabilities, especially through hedge‑fund leveraged trading in sovereign bonds and the rapid expansion of private credit. He highlighted that hedge funds now purchase up...
Placer.ai Macroeconomic Indicators Analysis, February 2026 – Placer.ai Blog
Placer.ai’s February 2026 macro analysis shows a bifurcated U.S. consumer—price‑sensitive shoppers gravitate toward value retailers while still allocating funds for discretionary indulgences. Retail foot‑traffic remains broadly positive YoY despite weather‑driven dips, and e‑commerce fulfillment centers are logging high‑single‑digit visit growth fueled...
Eurozone Households Are First to Feel the Pain of the Current Oil Price Shock
Eurozone households are the first to feel the impact of the latest oil price shock as retail fuel prices surge across the region. A 50‑litre tank now costs €4.5‑€13 more for petrol and €8.4‑€21.5 more for diesel, with Germany seeing...
Where Investors Can Back Africa's Trade Expansion
The article highlights that Africa’s intra‑regional trade finance market exceeds $60 bn but remains vastly under‑served, with only 7‑25% of demand met. Post‑2008 regulatory changes pushed global banks to partner with local institutions, making regional banks the primary conduit for cross‑border...
South Korean Lawmakers Pass Law to Manage Seoul's Pledge of $350 Billion in US Investments
South Korean lawmakers approved a law establishing a public corporation to oversee a $350 billion pledge of U.S. investments, aimed at averting new U.S. tariffs. The agreement, struck in November, allocates $200 billion to semiconductor and high‑tech projects and $150 billion to shipbuilding,...
Philippine Economy Faces ‘Serious’ Contraction From Gas Emissions Cuts—ADB
Asian Development Bank warns the Philippines could experience a serious GDP contraction as it pursues a 75% greenhouse‑gas emissions cut by 2030. The bank’s March 12 report cites high mitigation costs, price pressures and a lack of productivity measures, which...
‘Horrendously High’ Fares and Bomb Fears Upend Spring Travel
The Iran‑Israel war has shut Gulf transit hubs, wiping out up to 10% of global airline capacity. More than 46,000 flights were cancelled, driving fare spikes such as an 80% rise on Sydney‑London economy tickets and near‑tripling on Singapore‑London routes....
Yen Weakens to 159 per Dollar as Oil Prices Surge Despite Reserve Release
The Japanese yen slipped to roughly 159 per dollar on Thursday, its weakest level since mid‑January, as oil prices surged past $100 a barrel. Despite a recent release of foreign‑exchange reserves aimed at supporting the currency, the yen continued to...
Trust, Trade and the Slow Architecture of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
The India‑Middle East‑Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was unveiled under India’s G20 presidency as a multi‑layered framework linking market access, digital connectivity and risk mitigation. Despite the shock of the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent Iran‑Israel‑U.S. clashes, India has kept the...
Middle East Crisis Could Test Property Market Confidence
Escalating Middle East tensions are pushing diesel prices higher, tightening operating costs for Australian rural producers. The surge is prompting both crop and grazing operators to reassess input purchases, delay acquisitions, and prioritize fuel‑efficient assets. Valuers and industry leaders warn...
Ten Maersk Ships ‘Trapped’ in Persian Gulf
Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said ten of the carrier’s vessels are trapped in the Persian Gulf after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. The ships have been grouped offshore for safety, with one under a U.S. Military Sealift Command contract....
China Largely Insulated From Global Energy Price Shocks
China’s economy is largely insulated from the recent global energy price spikes triggered by Middle East tensions. Although oil and gas import bills will rise, long‑term contracts, domestic coal dominance, and sizable strategic reserves limit cost pass‑through. The country’s low...
Hold on — Tech Stocks Are a Safe Haven Now?
Amid the escalating war in Iran, investors have turned to U.S. technology equities as a defensive position. The International Energy Agency responded to the energy shock by releasing its largest‑ever strategic oil reserve drawdown, while U.S. consumer‑price inflation held steady...
Samsung Display CEO Warns of Cost Pressure Due to Oil Shock From Iran War
Samsung Display CEO Chung Yi warned that the Iran‑related oil shock is driving up energy and raw‑material costs for the display maker. He noted that many key inputs, such as polymer films, are derived from crude oil, so price spikes directly...
MSC Strikes 45-Year Deal for Nigerian Box Terminal
Swiss shipping giant MSC Group has secured a 45‑year concession to develop a new container terminal at Snake Island Port in Lagos, partnering with Nigerian firm Nigerdock. The engineering, procurement and construction contract was awarded to ITB Nigeria and DEME...
US Tariff Reprieve Leads to Opportunity, and Scepticism, in China’s Exports Hubs
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling trimmed the weighted tariff on Chinese goods from 32.4% to 22.3%, creating a temporary reprieve through July. Some exporters, like equipment maker Chen Zhuo, are accelerating shipments to lock in lower duties, while others remain...
Is Beijing Stepping up Island Building in South China Sea After 10-Year Pause?
Satellite imagery shows China rapidly expanding Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands, deploying more than 30 dredgers and construction vessels. The reclamation effort, the first major South China Sea project since Beijing announced a halt over a decade ago, appears...
Morning Brief Podcast: SPRs to LPG: How Far Will History’s Biggest Oil Shock Reverberate?
The Morning Brief podcast examines an unprecedented oil shock triggered by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting more than 10 million barrels of crude per day—about twice the 1956 Suez disruption. With virtually no spare production capacity, Brent crude...
The Role of Spending Rigidity in Fiscal Adjustment
Public debt has surged to record levels, while government wage bills remain rigid, averaging 10% of GDP across OECD nations. New research by de Mello and Jalles shows that higher wage‑bill ratios blunt the primary balance response to rising debt, especially...
Chinese Firms with Success in Go-Global Efforts Poised to Reap Profit Rewards
Chinese mainland‑listed firms are set to outpace Hong Kong peers in earnings, driven by aggressive overseas expansion and a commodity price boom. Bloomberg estimates the CSI‑300’s average profit growth could hit 6.3 % in 2025 versus just 2 % for the Hang Seng....
US Launches Section 301 Tariff Probe Targeting China, EU, Mexico, Japan and Others
The United States has opened a Section 301 investigation into alleged manufacturing overcapacity across 16 trading partners, including China, the EU, Japan, and Mexico. The probe gives the administration authority to impose new tariffs if state‑backed excess production is deemed...
US to Release 172m Barrels From SPR over 3 Mths as US Intelligence Says Iran Regime Stable
The United States will release 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next 120 days, joining a 400‑million‑barrel drawdown coordinated by the International Energy Agency. The emergency release aims to ease the sharp rise in crude prices...
The Philippines: DEFA to Build a Resilient and Inclusive Digital ASEAN
ASEAN negotiators convened in Manila to advance the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), refining the draft over three days and targeting a November signing at the ASEAN Summit. The framework is designed to capture Southeast Asia’s projected $2 trillion digital economy...
Iran Raises Stakes on Hormuz in Oil Price Narrative Battle
Iran has escalated its rhetoric and threats around the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that moves roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and LNG. The move is part of a broader narrative battle with the United States amid the ongoing...
South Africa Summons New US Ambassador over ‘Undiplomatic Remarks’
South Africa’s foreign ministry summoned U.S. ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III after he labeled the "Kill the Boer" chant hate speech and likened Black Economic Empowerment policies to apartheid. The move underscores a widening diplomatic rift amplified by the Trump...
Trump’s Iran War Pushes Petrol Past $3.50 in Test of US Voter Patience
President Trump’s decision to intensify military pressure on Iran sparked a sharp rally in global oil markets, pushing U.S. gasoline prices above $3.50 per gallon for the first time in years. The price surge coincided with the lead‑up to the...
How the Iran War Could Jack Up Prices on Store Shelves
The Iran‑driven conflict has effectively shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly half of the world’s oil tankers and a comparable share of container vessels. Disruption of Tier‑3 Middle Eastern suppliers—particularly chemicals, plastics, aluminum...
Trump on Iran: We Won, but Don't Want to Leave Early
U.S. President Donald Trump told a Kentucky rally that the United States has "won" the war against Iran, claiming the destruction of 58 Iranian naval vessels. He emphasized that the U.S. will stay engaged to "finish the job" and avoid...
Trump Says U.S. Will Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve As Iran War Surges Gas Prices
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will draw 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next four months, the first release since 2022. The move comes as the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran has pushed...
Disruptions Reinforce China's Self-Sufficiency Drive
China is intensifying its drive for energy self‑sufficiency by accelerating investments in low‑carbon technologies such as solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles. The ongoing war in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil and gas imports, underscores Beijing’s anxiety over...
Mideast War Brings Fresh Risks for Low-Carbon Investments
The Gulf conflict has jolted oil and gas supplies, reinforcing the long‑term economic case for clean‑energy projects. Yet the immediate fallout—rising inflation and tighter credit—could choke funding for low‑carbon initiatives. Analysts warn that the war’s duration and the speed of...
G7 Explores Ship Escorts in Gulf as Middle East War Threatens Energy Supply Routes
G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Russia sanctions while confronting the ripple effects of the U.S.–Israeli conflict on Iran and global energy markets. They agreed to deepen coordination with Gulf partners to safeguard shipping lanes and stabilize oil supplies. A...
Dow Jones Futures Fall As Oil Prices Surge Above $90 On Tanker Attacks, Port Disruption
Dow Jones futures fell 1.1% as crude oil prices jumped above $90 per barrel after tanker attacks in Iraq and Iranian‑linked threats in Oman. The International Energy Agency called for a record 400 million‑barrel strategic‑reserve release, with the U.S. committing 172 million...
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[Sara Albrecht] Refund Tariffs the Right Way
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled recent tariffs unlawful, exposing a legal gap in how to reverse the economic fallout. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proposes $1,700 checks for each household, totaling about $8.7 billion, to reimburse alleged consumer overcharges. The article argues refunds...
US Committed to EU Trade Deal, Top Trump Official Tells Brussels
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the EU‑U.S. trade agreement in a call between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič. The deal, signed last summer at Turnberry, caps European export tariffs at 15 percent and...
UN Security Council Demands Iran Halt Attacks on Gulf States
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on March 12 demanding that Iran immediately stop its attacks on Gulf states and cease any interference with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The measure passed with 13 votes in favor...
Oil Shock, Inflation Pressures Dampen RBI Rate-Cut Hopes
India’s central bank faces mounting pressure to pause its rate‑cut cycle as West‑Asia oil price shocks reignite inflation concerns. A surge in Brent crude, coupled with fading food‑price base effects, threatens to push consumer inflation above the RBI’s 4% target....
IEA Plans to Release 400 Million Barrels of Oil to Curb the Impact of War in Iran
The International Energy Agency announced it will release 400 million barrels of oil from members' emergency reserves, the largest drawdown in its history and more than double the 2022 release for Ukraine. The volume represents roughly 20 days of oil...
How Putin Views Trump’s War in Iran
The United States, under Donald Trump, launched a war against Iran that immediately killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Vladimir Putin to issue a rare public condemnation while acknowledging that the conflict mirrors his own vision of a rule‑by‑force world....
How South Africa Is Navigating the Iran War
South Africa is walking a diplomatic tightrope as the United States‑Israel war with Iran intensifies, keeping a non‑aligned posture while trying to repair strained ties with Washington. President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a probe into Iran’s participation in BRICS+ naval drills...
West Asia Conflict Could Hurt Agri Input Availability: UPL Executive
Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven global fertilizer prices up 50‑80%, raising the cost of key agricultural inputs. Shipping rates, marine insurance and energy prices have also surged, creating pressure on agro‑chemical supply chains. UPL Group’s COO,...
US Senate Democrats Push for Answers on Strike Targeting Iran Girls' School, Civilian Casualties
Nearly every Senate Democrat signed a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding a swift investigation into a February 28 airstrike that hit a girls' school in Iran, killing dozens of children. Reuters reports U.S. investigators now consider it likely that U.S....