Copper Rises to 6-Week High as Iran Talks Raise Hopes
Copper surged 1.8% to $13,284.50 a ton on the London Metal Exchange, reaching its highest level in six weeks. The rally follows renewed optimism that the United States and Iran will resume peace talks and that Tehran may pause shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the week, aluminum hit a four‑year high but fell 1.2% as the market digested the same diplomatic signals. Overall, industrial metals are rebounding after a volatile period triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Record Diesel Jump as Global Crisis Drives up Kenya Fuel Prices
Kenya will raise diesel prices by a record Ksh 40.30 ($0.31) per litre, taking the pump price to Ksh 206.84 ($1.60). Petrol will also climb by Ksh 28.69 ($0.22) to Ksh 206.97, while kerosene stays flat thanks to a Ksh 99.16 ($0.77) per‑litre subsidy. The...
Scoop: U.S. Eases Bank Sanctions Amid Venezuela's Economic Woes
The U.S. Treasury announced on Tuesday that it is easing sanctions on Venezuela's state‑run banking system, allowing key institutions to transact in U.S. dollars and receive billions from oil sales. The move follows weeks of public‑sector wage protests, where workers...
Crude Oil Slumps As Trump Indicates Resumption Of U.S.-Iran Peace Talks
Crude oil prices plunged 7.25% to $91.90 per barrel after President Trump signaled a possible resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks. The prospect of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing Gulf tensions reduced demand‑related concerns. The International Energy Agency warned...
U.S. Will Let Iran Oil Waiver Expire as Blockade Tightens Grip on Global Flows
The Trump administration will let the 30‑day waiver that permitted Iranian oil shipments at sea expire on April 19, tightening the sanctions blockade. The waiver, issued on March 20, had allowed roughly 140 million barrels of Iranian crude to reach global markets, easing...
The Balance Of Power In The World Is Shifting, & The US Will Be The Biggest Loser
The article contends that the United States is losing its global preeminence after an ill‑planned war in Iran, which exposed America’s strategic unreliability and drained trillions of dollars. A surprise defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary and a pending UK‑EU...
The IEA’s Fatih Birol: Oil Prices Will Soon Begin ‘Reflecting the Severity’ of the Energy Crisis
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that current oil prices are lagging behind the true severity of the energy shock caused by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He said daily global oil output has...
Many Assets Have Retraced the War Move but Not Gold (or at Least Not Yet)
The S&P 500 and the euro have fully reclaimed the losses incurred during the recent Iran‑related war scare, while gold remains about 9% below its pre‑war peak. Gold rallied 2% in U.S. trading to $4,831, and silver surged 5%, signaling renewed...
How to Build a Portfolio when Bonds Fail to Buffer Stocks
The long‑standing hedge of bonds against equities is losing its effectiveness as rising interest rates and flattening yield curves push bond returns lower and push equity‑bond correlation to historic highs. Investors are seeing bonds provide little downside protection for stock...
Hungary's Magyar to Reengage with EU but No Blank Cheques
Peter Magyar’s election ends Hungary’s veto that blocked the EU’s €90 bn ($97 bn) Ukraine aid package, clearing a major procedural hurdle. While Budapest will not provide weapons or direct financial support to Kyiv, the removal of the veto enables faster disbursement...
DRC Central Bank Receives First Refined Gold Ingots Under New Reserve-Building Programme
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s central bank has received its first batch of refined gold ingots, marking the launch of a state‑led reserve‑building programme. The delivery follows a February contract between the central bank and DRC Gold Trading SA,...
Lower Freight Rates Hit Q1 Revenues for Taiwan’s ‘Big Three’ Carriers
Taiwan’s three major container lines reported lower operating revenues in Q1 2026 as freight rates slipped year‑over‑year. Evergreen Marine, the largest carrier, saw its revenue drop 21% to $2.7 billion, down from $3.5 billion a year earlier. The decline follows the disappearance...
West Asia Conflict: India's Soybean Meal Exports Fall 63%
India’s soybean meal exports plunged 63% in March 2026, falling to 60,000 tonnes from 162,000 tonnes a year earlier, as high domestic prices and the West‑Asia conflict disrupted shipments. Key markets such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and...
ECB's Makhlouf: Not yet Seeing Changes in Consumer Behaviour From Higher Inflation
ECB policy chief Makhlouf told investors the central bank has not yet observed a noticeable shift in consumer spending despite higher inflation. He reiterated the ECB’s commitment to its inflation target and warned that any response to temporary price shocks...
“Free Seas” Are Not Unraveling — But the System Is Changing Under Pressure
While the global maritime system remains legally open, recent crises—from the Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea attacks—have tightened slack and raised risk‑based costs. Bruce Kimbrell argues that these disruptions reflect three overlapping forces: crisis, coercion, and market‑driven risk pricing,...
Six Ships Turned Around as Part of Strait of Hormuz Blockade, US Military Says
The U.S. military confirmed that its newly imposed blockade of Iran’s ports forced six merchant vessels to turn back within the first 24 hours. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump after stalled peace talks, restricts all ships entering or...
Fertiliser Shortages Due to Iran War Are a Key Worry for Developing World, UN Agency Says
The United Nations International Trade Centre warned that the Iran‑U.S. conflict is choking fertilizer shipments, with about one‑third of global urea normally transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Blockades threaten supplies to key developing economies in Africa and Asia, risking lower...
The Debt Comes Due—But There Is No One to Pick up the Tab
The IMF warned that public debt levels are now the highest in two decades, with global debt‑to‑GDP at about 94 percent in 2023. While the organization highlighted the war‑driven demand for up to $50 billion in support, its broader message focused...
IEA: Global Oil Market Hit by Historic Supply Shock Amid Middle East Conflict
The International Energy Agency reports that the Middle East conflict has slashed global oil supply by 10.1 million barrels per day, pulling total output down to 97 million b/d in March. OPEC+ output fell 9.4 million b/d while non‑OPEC supply dropped 770,000 b/d, creating...
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Understanding Quantitative Tightening: How the Fed Reduces Market Liquidity
The Federal Reserve launched quantitative tightening (QT) in 2022, letting roughly $1 trillion of Treasury and mortgage‑backed securities mature without reinvestment to shrink its $9 trillion balance sheet. By reducing liquidity, QT pushes bond yields higher, raises borrowing costs and aims to...
Trump and Iran in Battle of the Blockades – The Latest
The United States has activated a naval blockade targeting vessels that use Iranian ports, aiming to choke Iran’s oil‑dependent economy. Despite the restriction, several Iran‑linked tankers have already transited the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows a weekend of stalled...
India May Go Slow on Trade Deal Till US Mid-Term Polls
India is likely to delay finalizing tariff commitments with the United States until after the November 2026 mid‑term elections. The pause follows a February 20 Supreme Court ruling that nullified the legal basis for the reciprocal tariffs set in the...
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Understanding Protectionism: Tools and Examples for Trade Policies
Protectionism refers to government measures that restrict international trade to favor domestic industries, using tools such as tariffs, quotas, product standards, and subsidies. Tariffs can be scientific, peril‑point, or retaliatory, each raising the price of imported goods. Quotas limit import...
Elusive Peace
The United States announced it will mobilize naval vessels to block the Strait of Hormuz after Vice President Harris declared recent talks with Iran a failure. The cease‑fire set to expire on the 21st raises the prospect of renewed hostilities,...
Why Filipinos Must Stay Prudent Despite Cuts in Fuel Prices, Taxes
The Philippine government rolled back fuel taxes, cutting diesel by more than ₱20 per liter (about $0.36) and lowering gasoline and kerosene prices. While the relief eases household and business costs, global oil volatility—driven by U.S.-Iran tensions and threats to...
Trump Says Iran Talks Could Resume over Next Two Days, NY Post Reports
U.S. President Donald Trump told the New York Post that diplomatic talks with Iran could restart in Pakistan within the next two days. He highlighted the role of Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, praising his handling of the...
Berlin Summit Aims to Shape Sudan’s Post-War Future – Despite Boycott by Warring Groups
The EU‑hosted Berlin summit on Sudan convened about 50 civilian politicians and civil‑society leaders to discuss a post‑war political transition, but both armed factions and the Sudanese government boycotted the event. Former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, now heading the Somoud...
A $300 Billion Liquidity Storm May Be About To Hit The Market
A surge of more than $300 billion is expected to leave the Treasury General Account, draining reserves and tightening liquidity across the financial system. Reserve balances could fall to roughly $2.8‑$2.9 trillion, eliminating the reverse‑repo buffer that normally absorbs shocks. At the...
Currency: The Hidden Alpha in International ETFs
International equity ETFs have finally eclipsed U.S. funds in net inflows, a shift not seen since early 2023, driven by stronger earnings abroad and a weakening dollar. The MSCI EAFE index delivered a 24% local‑currency gain in 2025, which swelled...
Singapore's Labour Market Remains Resilient, but Hiring May Slow in 2026 Amidst Global Uncertainty: MAS Review
Singapore’s labour market ended 2025 on a solid footing, adding 17,700 jobs in Q4 and keeping unemployment at 2.8%. Growth was buoyed by non‑resident construction workers and steady resident hiring in domestic‑oriented and modern services. MAS warns hiring will moderate...
Growth Downgrade for UK as Iran War Expected to Boost Inflation and Stop Interest Rate Cuts, Says IMF
The International Monetary Fund has lowered its 2026 UK growth forecast to 0.8% from 1.3% after the US‑Iran war disrupted oil supplies and pushed energy costs higher. Inflation is now projected at 4% and unemployment at 5.6%, while average household...
CENTCOM Chief Visits Israel, Bahrain Amid Iran Ceasefire, Blockade
U.S. Central Command commander General Michael Kurilla visited Israel and Bahrain this week, meeting senior defense officials to coordinate a response to Iran's recent cease‑fire announcement and its ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The trips underscore Washington’s effort...
Research Firms Divided over Impact of Below Normal Monsoon on Food Inflation
India’s 2026 southwest monsoon is projected at 92‑94% of the long‑period average, classifying it as below‑normal. The shortfall, combined with a heatwave, energy price shocks and fertilizer supply concerns, is expected to lift food‑price inflation, a key driver of the...
UK Banks on Royal Diplomacy to Soothe a Strained Alliance with Trump
King Charles III will travel to Washington between April 27‑30 for a state visit, the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress in over three decades. The trip is designed to calm escalating tensions between the United...
Trump: Iran Talks 'Could Be Happening over Next Two Days' In Pakistan
Former President Donald Trump indicated that diplomatic talks with Iran could begin within the next two days, proposing Pakistan as a neutral venue. The comment follows an Atlantic report suggesting talks were slated for Thursday and reflects a shift toward...
IMF Cuts South Africa’s Growth Outlook Amid Mounting War-Linked Energy Crisis
The IMF lowered its 2026 growth forecast for South Africa to 1%, down from 1.4% in January, citing a war‑linked energy crisis that is driving up oil and diesel prices. The fund also trimmed the sub‑Saharan Africa outlook to 4.3%...
Oil Pulls Back as IEA Cuts Demand Outlook
Oil prices slipped below $100 a barrel as the International Energy Agency sharply reduced its 2026 demand‑growth forecast, marking the first annual demand decline since the pandemic. The cut, combined with a lull in U.S.–Iran confrontations, has shifted market focus...
Oil Pulls Back as IEA Cuts Demand Outlook
Oil prices slipped below $100 per barrel after the International Energy Agency sharply trimmed its 2026 demand growth outlook, marking the first annual demand decline since the COVID‑19 pandemic. Reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – down to 8‑10...
U.S.-Mexico Trade Hits $73B in February as Border Capacity Tightens
U.S.-Mexico two‑way trade hit $73.2 billion in February, a 7 % year‑over‑year increase, keeping Mexico as America’s top trading partner. The United States exported $28.9 billion to Mexico while importing $44.3 billion, resulting in a $16.8 billion trade deficit. Port Laredo, Texas, moved more than...
Montenegro and Albania Urged to Make the Case for EU Membership as 2030 Target Looms
Montenegro and Albania are the Western Balkan frontrunners aiming for EU membership by 2030, but Carnegie Europe warns they must persuade skeptical EU states to avoid delays. The paper notes steady progress in negotiations yet highlights rising political risk from...
EU Sees 2025 Pharma Export Uptick Amid Competitiveness Concerns
EU pharmaceutical exports surged 16% in 2025, reaching €366.2 bn (≈$429 bn) and generating a record trade surplus of €220.5 bn (≈$257 bn). The United States remained the top destination, accounting for 44% of shipments – roughly €160.6 bn (≈$188 bn). Tariff pressures, including a 15%...
International Transportation Update: Freightos
Cease‑fire talks over the Middle‑East conflict collapsed, prompting a U.S. naval blockade that further restricts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has shaved roughly 10% off global oil supply, driving bunker‑fuel shortages and spiking energy costs. Emergency fuel...
Diesel Fuel Costs, Weaker Rand to Place Pressure on Inflation, Export-Competitiveness
EBC Financial Group warns that South Africa's one‑month diesel levy cut will only briefly offset rising fuel costs driven by a jump in Brent crude to $93.67 per barrel and a weakened rand at R16.64 per dollar. The higher Brent...
Treasuries Steady as Traders Assess War’s Inflation Risks
U.S. Treasury yields held near 4.30% as the latest producer‑price index came in below expectations, reinforcing bets for at least one Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026 despite lingering inflation concerns tied to the Iran‑Israel war. The PPI rose 0.5%...
In Hormuz War of Words, US Illustrates Threat with ‘Drug Boat’ Hit
President Donald Trump threatened to extend his administration’s boat‑bombing campaign to any Iranian vessel that approaches a newly declared U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The warning was accompanied by a kinetic strike on a Pacific‑based vessel labeled a...
U.S.-bound Imports Post Strong March Gains, Notes Descartes Global Shipping Report
Descartes' 56th Global Shipping Report shows U.S.-bound container imports surged 12.4% month‑over‑month in March to 2.35 million TEU, the fourth‑highest monthly total on record. Imports remain 32.3% above pre‑pandemic March 2019 levels despite a 4.8% year‑to‑date decline. China‑origin shipments slipped slightly,...
Live: Trump Says Peace Talks Could Restart in Days as Blockade 'Completely' Halts Maritime Iranian Trade
President Donald Trump announced that US‑Iran peace negotiations could restart in Pakistan within days, after a weekend of stalled talks. The US military confirmed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has completely halted maritime trade in and out of...
Iran War Is ‘a Concern, but It’s Not a Worry,’ Los Angeles Port Director Says
The Port of Los Angeles says the Iran war is a concern but not a worry for its operations, noting no current disruptions despite ongoing Middle East tensions. March throughput fell 3% year‑over‑year to 752,520 TEUs, while April is projected...
Bessent: Trump Hasn't Opted to Raise 10% Tariff to 15% "at This Time"
Treasury Secretary Bessent said President Trump has not moved to raise the Section 122 import tariff from the current 10% to the maximum 15% allowed. The administration continues broad Section 301 investigations, which are set to expire with the 150‑day limit and...
2,000+ Supply Ships Stranded: Iran War Puts Food Security at Risk
More than 2,000 vessels carrying grains, edible oils, soft commodities and fertilizers are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Iran conflict. The blockage threatens spoilage of perishable cargoes and creates immediate shortages for food‑and‑beverage manufacturers, while...