Alcohol-Free Beer and Pet Grooming Used to Measure Inflation
The UK Office for National Statistics has refreshed its consumer price basket, adding items such as non‑alcoholic beer, houmous, motorhomes, dashboard cameras and pet‑grooming services. The revision introduces 27 new products and removes 19, keeping the basket at 760 items. A new scanner‑based data‑collection system will replace much of the manual price gathering, covering over half of grocery sales. The update coincides with a revised inflation outlook, now seen nearer 3% rather than the previously expected 2%.
US Cruises Sail Into Higher Costs as Oil Prices Rally; Carnival Could Be Hardest Hit
Rising oil prices, up more than 35% since the Iran conflict, are inflating fuel costs for U.S. cruise lines. Carnival Corp stands out as the only major U.S. operator that does not hedge its fuel, exposing it to steep profit...
Oil Supply Disruptions Are Rocking Chip Stocks Like Nvidia or AMD, But Should You Buy the Dip?
Rising oil prices sparked by Middle East tensions pushed crude above $100, tightening energy markets and raising electricity costs for data‑center operators. The shock rippled through the semiconductor sector, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF down 3.5% and chip leaders Nvidia...
Canada Trade Pivot Has Funds for Supply Chain Development, but Lacks a Plan
Canada is reshaping its trade policy to cut reliance on the United States, aiming to double non‑U.S. exports by 2035. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push has unlocked a new C$5 bn Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to upgrade ports, rail and air...
‘Made in America’ Should Accept Chinese Investment
The article argues that the United States should stop treating all Chinese capital as a security threat and instead allow limited, well‑structured Chinese investment in non‑sensitive sectors. It cites Trump’s “Made in America” agenda, which welcomes foreign money, and contrasts...
Stock Market Week 11/26: High Energy Prices Drive the RENIXX - Ballard Up Double Digits - Nordex: Additional Orders -...
The RENIXX renewable‑energy index climbed 4.9% last week to 1,251 points, driven by soaring oil and gas prices and Middle‑East geopolitical tension. Heavyweight gains came from Ballard Power (+20.1%) after securing a 500‑unit fuel‑cell drive order, while Xpeng, Canadian Solar,...
Tackling Prices Will Help Ignite Growth
The article argues that keeping prices stable is a powerful lever for reigniting UK growth because it allows the Bank of England to cut interest rates. Recent government actions, such as energy‑bill relief, have already shaved inflation, and the BoE...
Carney’s Davos Speech Won’t Fix the World Canadians Actually Live In
At Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the post‑Cold‑War rules‑based order is unraveling and outlined a “value‑based realism” strategy focused on sovereign supply chains, AI and critical minerals. He simultaneously affirmed confidence in open capital flows and integrated...
The US Exports Oil, but that Won’t Shield Americans From Higher Gas Prices
Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed the United States is a net oil exporter, but the reality is more nuanced. While the U.S. does export more crude oil and petroleum products than it imports, it remains a net importer of crude...
Mantashe Pushes Oil and Gas Drive as Global Tension Raises Fuel Price Risks
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe warned that soaring global crude prices—now above $100 a barrel—expose South Africa’s reliance on imported fuel and urged a rapid acceleration of domestic oil and gas development. He highlighted significant offshore prospects in...
Listen: What to Expect From the Provisional Application of the EU–Mercosur Agreement
After 25 years of negotiations, the EU‑Mercosur free‑trade agreement is set to be provisionally applied within weeks, following a rare EU signing without France’s formal approval. The deal reduces tariffs on a range of agricultural products while retaining quotas for...
The United States Is Losing Its Grip on Canada's Steel Market
U.S. steel exports to Canada fell 22% in 2025, dropping the United States' share of Canadian steel imports to 36% from 39%. Overall Canadian steel imports contracted 16% to 2.4 million tonnes as protectionist measures and retaliatory tariffs reshaped trade flows....
Uncle Sam Goes Mining in the Congo
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, together with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and New York‑based Orion Resources, signed a non‑binding MOU to acquire a 40% stake in Glencore’s Kamoto and Mutanda cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The move...
Strait of Hormuz Marks First Full Day’s Pause as No Ships Cross Amid Iran War
Maritime tracking data recorded zero commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, marking the first full day without traffic since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. Vessels were observed clustering just outside the narrow...
Indexes’ Uncertain Response in a Volatile Container Market
The Iran‑related conflict in the Arabian Gulf is creating sharp uncertainty in container markets, with analysts reporting divergent rate trends. Drewry’s spot‑rate data shows double‑digit increases on Asia‑North America and Asia‑Europe lanes, while Xeneta’s regional data points to stagnant or...
Confusion over Malaysia-US Trade Deal as ‘Null and Void’ Claim Retracted
Malaysia’s highly publicised tariff reduction agreement with the United States has hit a political snag after a senior minister mistakenly announced that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling rendered the deal null and void. The ministry quickly retracted the statement, clarifying...
Strengthening Romania’s Competitiveness
Romania has closed much of the gap to OECD income levels over the past twenty years, driven by market integration, capital inflows, and broad reforms. Labor productivity now sits close to the OECD average, though wages have begun outpacing productivity...
Gulf Crisis to Strengthen, Not Weaken, China’s Industrial Edge
The escalating Iran‑Israel‑US crisis threatens to choke the Strait of Hormuz, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel and adding up to 1.2% to global inflation. At the same time, worldwide electricity demand is surging, driven by AI‑intensive data centers...
India’s Trade Deficit Narrows to $27.1 Billion in February
India’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $27.1 billion in February, down from $34.68 billion in January but still far above the $14.42 billion surplus recorded a year earlier. Imports fell to $63.71 billion as demand for energy, gold and electronics moderated, while exports edged...
The Comparative Influence of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Inflows on Export Performance Between Landlocked and Coastal African Countries
The paper analyzes how foreign direct investment (FDI) influences export performance in African economies from 1996 to 2023, separating landlocked from coastal nations. Using Kao‑Pedroni cointegration and Granger causality with a Pooled Mean Group estimator, it finds a long‑run equilibrium...
What Are the Main Events for Today?
The European session shows little catalyst, keeping markets rangebound while traders monitor the escalating US‑Iran conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. In North America, the spotlight shifts to Canada’s CPI release, with the Trimmed Mean inflation rate projected at 2.3%...
US Launches Sweeping Forced-Labour Trade Probe
The U.S. Trade Representative has opened Section 301 investigations into 60 of America’s largest trading partners for failing to block imports made with forced labour. The probe zeroes in on cotton, garment and apparel supply chains, with China’s Xinjiang region a...
Venture Global: A Promising Way to Play the Energy Crisis
The Middle East conflict has reignited a global gas supply shock, pushing European natural‑gas prices up 70% in a week and reviving demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). Venture Global (NYSE:VG), a fast‑growing U.S. LNG producer, leverages modular plant...
India’s Wholesale Inflation Hits 11-Month High of 2.13% in February
India’s Wholesale Price Index rose to 2.13 % in February, the highest level in 11 months, up from 1.81 % in January. The increase was driven primarily by higher prices for manufactured goods, basic metals, food articles and textiles. Primary articles saw...
Senegal’s Crisis: Why Debt Restructuring May Be the Least Bad Option
Senegal’s public debt has surged to roughly 132% of GDP, with annual servicing costs of about $9.1 billion. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has dismissed debt restructuring, opting instead to close 19 government agencies to save roughly $98 million over three years. The...
New Asia Africa Agri Alliance Set up to Boost Trade, Agri Cooperation and Investments
The Asia Africa Agri Alliance, a Section 8 not‑for‑profit institution, has been launched to create structured frameworks for trade, investment and technology exchange between Asia and Africa. Bilateral agri‑trade between the two continents already exceeds $90 billion annually, accounting for over 40 %...
EU Losing Credibility by Not Standing up to Trump, Former Top Diplomat Blasts
Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the bloc is losing credibility by failing to hold former President Donald Trump accountable for what he called an illegal war on Iran. He accused European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of...
Saudis Give Oil Buyers Red Sea Option as Hormuz Crisis Persists
Saudi Aramco is giving long‑term oil customers the option to receive April allocations through the Red Sea port of Yanbu as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Deliveries from Yanbu will be limited by pipeline capacity, so buyers will receive...
Iran War an 'Abject Lesson' On Fossil Fuel Dependence, UN Climate Chief Says
The Iran war has triggered a sharp surge in European energy prices, with gas costs jumping 50% in just two weeks. UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that the crisis highlights the security risks of the EU’s heavy reliance on...
Europe’s Hollow Iran War Outrage
Europe’s leaders issued sharp condemnations of the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites, yet offered no tangible response. The operation proceeded without meaningful NATO consultation, exposing a gap between EU rhetoric and strategic capability. The episode underscores the fragility of...
The EU’s Energy Dilemma
EU foreign and energy ministers convened in Brussels to address mounting risks to energy security as Iranian tensions disrupt shipping routes and threaten supply chains. Norway positioned itself as a dependable gas supplier, offering a potential lifeline for the bloc....
Surge in Crude Prices Could Raise Global Inflation by 60 Bps, Cut Growth by up to 0.4 Pp in 2026:...
Crude oil prices jumped more than 40% in just 15 days after the U.S.-Israel‑Iran conflict disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the benchmark to about $103 a barrel. Former IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath warned that if oil averages $85...
Impact of Gulf War: Input Costs Make Electronics, Cars & More Goods Expensive
The Gulf war has triggered a sharp rise in input costs for plastics, resins and polymers, pushing up international freight rates and weakening the rupee. Indian manufacturers across automotive, consumer electronics, appliances, paints and footwear are planning price hikes of...
Japan Stocks Face Earnings Risk as Iran Conflict Lifts Oil Costs
Japan’s equity rally, driven by robust corporate earnings, is now under pressure as the Iran‑Israel conflict lifts crude prices. Brent crude sits around $104 a barrel, roughly 50 % above last year’s average, and a 10 % jump in Brent could shave...
Why Russia Is Watching Iran Burn
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed by Putin and Iran’s president formalized political ties but contains no mutual‑defense clause. When the United States and Israel struck Iran in early 2024, Russia issued condemnations yet provided only limited intelligence and drone‑tactic...
Oil Prices Trade Mixed as IEA Says Crude From Reserves Will Start Flowing in Soon
The International Energy Agency announced that member countries will release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves to calm markets disrupted by the West Asia conflict. Brent crude rose to $103.95 a barrel while WTI slipped to $98.62, reflecting mixed reactions. The...
Here’s What the Government Probably Won’t Do About the Global Oil Squeeze
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said New Zealand is considering targeted, temporary assistance for households hit by soaring fuel prices, but ruled out broad fuel tax cuts, universal cost‑of‑living payments, or public‑transport subsidies. Any aid must avoid adding inflationary pressure, fit the...
Trump Accuses Iran of Using AI to Spread Disinformation
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran is deploying artificial intelligence as a disinformation weapon, citing fabricated images of kamikaze boats, a false attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and a non‑existent rally of 250,000 supporters for Iran’s new Supreme Leader....
Japan Not yet Planning Hormuz Escort Mission, PM Takaichi Says
Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said Tokyo is not planning to dispatch naval vessels to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a public request from U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision remains pending as Japan evaluates what...
China’s 30-Year Yields Set for Highest Close Since 2024 on Oil
China’s 30‑year government bond yields climbed to 2.4%, the highest closing level since September 2024, as oil prices surged amid the Iran‑Israel conflict. The 10‑year benchmark also edged higher to 1.83%, reflecting broader inflation concerns. Futures on the 30‑year bond fell...
China’s Economy Surprises With Rebound Even as War Risks Spread
China’s January‑February 2026 data showed a stronger‑than‑expected rebound across key indicators. Industrial production jumped 6.3% year‑on‑year, the fastest since September, while retail sales rose 2.8% and fixed‑asset investment expanded 1.8% after a year‑long decline. Infrastructure spending surged 11.4% and manufacturing...
With Ferry Strikes, Ukraine Narrows Russia's Options at Kerch Strait
Ukraine struck two Russian ro‑ro rail ferries, the Slavyanin and Avangard, disabling both vessels in the Kerch Strait. The attacks leave Russia without any operational rail ferries on the Black Sea, forcing reliance on the Kerch Bridge for bulk rail...
CUPRA Tavascan EV Exempted From EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs
The EU has granted a rare tariff exemption to the CUPRA Tavascan, an electric SUV built in China for the European brand. The waiver removes the combined 10 % standard duty and 20.7 % China‑origin surcharge, provided the model meets a minimum...
Oil Prices Rise After Trump Claims US ‘Totally Demolished’ Iran’s Kharg Island Export Hub
U.S. forces struck Iran’s Kharg Island, a hub handling about 90% of Tehran’s oil exports, prompting a sharp rally in crude markets. Brent crude jumped 1.8% to $104.98 per barrel, pushing oil above $100 for the first time since the...
Lonely Empire
The article warns that the Trump administration has revived overt American imperialism, sparking an active war with Iran and turning Venezuela into a U.S.-controlled satrapy. It claims the United States is pursuing territorial grabs, including Greenland, while seeking to expel...
PS Quarterly Interview: Desmond Lachman
In a recent Project Syndicate interview, economist Desmond Lachman warns that President Donald Trump’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy could revive bond‑market vigilantes and destabilize the U.S. Treasury market. He argues that such stress may puncture the soaring AI‑related equity rally and...
Global Markets Are A-Changin’
Dambisa Moyo outlines three major trends reshaping the global investment landscape, pushing a risk‑on mindset in the short term. These forces are expected to lift risk assets while simultaneously threatening the traditional functioning of capital markets. The article cautions that...
Trade Officials Advised to Find New Export Markets
Caretaker commerce minister Suphajee Suthumpun has instructed Thai commercial attachés to actively seek new export markets, emphasizing diversification in Asia and Europe. The ministry’s new strategy, guided by the TAM model – Think Big, Act Small, Move Right – targets...
Iran Conflict Sharpens Asia?s Energy Security Focus- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
The escalating Iran‑Israel conflict is spilling into Asian energy markets, prompting the inaugural Indo‑Pacific Energy Security Ministerial in Tokyo. Ministers and industry leaders warned that regional fuel imports are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, as military actions push oil prices...
GCC Bond, Sukuk Issuances Plunge Amid Iran War- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
GCC dollar‑denominated bond and sukuk issuances have plunged since the Iran war erupted, despite the region’s strong credit fundamentals earlier in 2026. The GCC still represents roughly 40% of all emerging‑market dollar issuance this year, with outstanding DCM at $1.2 trillion....