Inflation Goes up by a Whopping Monthly Rate of Nearly 1%—And It’s Hitting You at the Grocery Store and Gas...
The U.S. consumer price index jumped almost 1% in March, driven primarily by a 10.9% rise in energy costs and a 21.2% surge in gasoline—the steepest monthly increase since 1967. Year‑over‑year inflation climbed to 3.3%, the highest level since April 2024, while core inflation edged up only 0.2% month‑over‑month. Coffee prices exploded 30.5% YoY to $9.46 per pound, reflecting tariffs and freight disruptions. Economists caution the energy spike could soon filter into broader categories like food, pressuring real wages.
Iran War Drives Deeper Oil Shock Than Prices Reveal
The Iran‑Israel conflict has pushed the physical spot price of crude to a record $145 a barrel, more than double the level before the Feb. 28 attacks, while the widely quoted Brent futures linger around $109. The widening gap between futures...
US Inflation Jumps to Two-Year High as Iran War Ripples Across Economy
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, the strongest pace since early 2022, as the Iran‑Israel conflict sent global energy prices soaring. The monthly CPI increased 0.4%, with gasoline and electricity leading the surge; energy costs were up about...
War, Oil and Inflation: What It Means for Rates
Inflation spikes tied to the Iran conflict prompted the Blue Chip Economic Indicators (BCEI) panel to revise upward its core PCE forecasts and soften expectations for near‑term Federal Reserve rate cuts. The panel now projects core PCE growth of 3.0%...
Meme Wars
President Donald Trump threatened Iran with strikes over the Strait of Hormuz, then abruptly announced a two‑week cease‑fire, prompting a wave of AI‑generated memes from Iranian embassies. Tehran’s diplomatic accounts in Zimbabwe, Thailand, South Africa and India used humor and...
US Inflation Quickens to 3.3pc in March, Gasoline Soars
U.S. consumer prices jumped 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, the fastest pace since mid‑2024, driven largely by a surge in energy costs. Gasoline prices recorded a 21.2% monthly gain, the largest in the BLS record dating back to 1967, while fuel...
Tilapia Imports From Vietnam Surpass Brazilian Export Totals for the First Time, Alarming Local Industry
Brazil’s February imports of Vietnamese tilapia fillets topped 1,300 metric tons, outpacing the country’s own exports for the first time. The imports, valued at roughly $8 million, represent about 56% of Vietnam’s monthly tilapia revenue and are driven by a preferential trade...
Soaring Pump Prices Drive US Inflation to Highest Level in Almost Two Years
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, the fastest pace in almost two years, driven largely by a 21.2% jump in gasoline costs. The surge stems from the U.S.-Israel conflict in Iran, which disrupted oil flow through the Strait...
As Iran War Strains Fuel Supplies, Clean Energy Is Secure Energy
The Iran‑Iran war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have halted roughly 20% of global oil and LNG flows, driving crude toward $100 a barrel and pushing U.S. gasoline above $4 per gallon. Nations that have already built...
US CPI Comes in Lower than Expected, but April Rate Cut Still Unlikely
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that March’s headline CPI rose 0.9% month‑over‑month and 3.3% year‑over‑year, staying above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Energy prices surged, with the energy index up 11% and gasoline climbing 21.2% amid the Iran‑related...
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ISS TODAY OP-ED: Diplomatic Shuffle as Ramaphosa Bumped From France’s G7 — or Was He?
South African President Cyril Ramaphova was quietly removed from France’s June 2026 G7 guest list after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to boycott the summit if the South African leader attended. France’s Emmanuel Macron substituted Kenya’s President William Ruto, citing a streamlined agenda, while French...
BSP to Wait for Clearer Signals Before Acting
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will adopt a wait‑and‑see approach ahead of its April 23 policy meeting, citing the need for clearer evidence of second‑round inflation from the current global oil shock. March inflation accelerated to 4.1 percent, overshooting the central...
FDI Inflows Drop to Four-Month Low
Foreign direct investment into the Philippines plunged 39.2% in January, reaching $443 million – the lowest level in four months. All major FDI components posted year‑on‑year declines, with equity and fund shares down 41.1% and reinvested earnings falling 56.6%. Japan topped...
ADB Trims 2026 Philippines Growth Outlook to 4.4 Percent
The Asian Development Bank’s April 2026 outlook lowered its Philippines GDP growth projection to 4.4% for the current year, down from the 5.3% forecast made in December. The downgrade is driven by uncertainty from the Middle East conflict and higher...
US Considers Extending Russian Oil Waiver as Prices Spike During Iran Conflict
The Trump administration is poised to extend a 30‑day waiver that lets countries purchase sanctioned Russian oil at sea, a measure that currently expires on April 11. The waiver would free roughly 100 million barrels—about one day of global output—as oil prices...
European Airports Warn of Jet Fuel Shortages if Strait of Hormuz Remains Shut
Airports Council International Europe warned EU officials that prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger jet‑fuel shortages across the continent. The warning follows President Trump’s cease‑fire pact with Iran, yet tanker traffic remains well below pre‑conflict volumes. The...
The Iran War Has Ended a Year of Economic Promise
Before President Donald Trump launched his war on Iran, global financial markets were on an upswing and private‑sector confidence was rebounding, according to the Brookings‑FT TIGER index. The index highlighted solid growth prospects despite lingering trade‑policy volatility and high public...
Cubans Living Abroad Now Hold the Key to Their Country’s Uncertain Future
Cuba announced in March 2026 that it will allow Cuban expatriates, especially those in the United States, to return, invest in the private sector and own businesses. The policy shift follows a deepening economic crisis marked by food, medicine shortages...
An Econometric Investigation on the Stability of Stablecoins: Are These Coins Stable or Is Their Stability Just a Flip of...
A new econometric study probes the volatility of U.S.-dollar‑backed stablecoins, using multilevel models such as GARCH and SVAR to assess reactions to macro‑financial shocks. The analysis finds USD Coin and TrueUSD highly sensitive to monetary policy changes and market turbulence, while...
Grocery Price Growth Cools as Overall Inflation Surges
U.S. grocery price growth decelerated in March, with food‑at‑home inflation easing to a 1.9% year‑over‑year increase, down from 2.4% in February. The broader consumer price index, however, jumped to 3.3% as gasoline surged more than 21%, driving overall inflation higher....
Inside the Consumer Price Index: March 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ March 2026 CPI report breaks down consumer spending into eight weighted categories, with food, shelter and clothing together representing over 60% of the index. Medical care, housing and food have each more than doubled in...
Ceasefire Sends Dollar Toward Weekly Drop with US-Iran Talks in Focus
The U.S. dollar slipped on Friday, positioning it for its largest weekly decline since January as investors unwound safe‑haven bets following a fragile cease‑fire in the Gulf. The euro rose 1.8% and the pound 2% against the dollar, while the...
Africa Is Losing the Iran War
The Iran‑related war in the Middle East is triggering a cascade of economic shocks across Africa. Fuel prices have jumped about 50% and global fertilizer costs are up more than 40%, straining household budgets and agricultural yields. Simultaneously, African governments...
India to Continue Buying Russian Crude Oil
Indian refiners will keep buying Russian crude oil after the U.S. 30‑day sanctions exemption expires on April 11, driven by ongoing supply uncertainty from West Asia and damaged regional infrastructure. West Asian shipments, which once supplied about half of India’s crude,...
Global GDP Themes and Forecasts
An outbreak of war in the Middle East is generating an energy‑driven inflation shock that threatens to delay disinflation and keep interest rates higher worldwide. The United States, as a major oil producer, is relatively insulated, though the Federal Reserve...
CPI Inflation Rate Up Nearly +1%, As Expected
The U.S. Consumer Price Index for March 2026 rose 0.9% month‑over‑month, pushing the year‑over‑year inflation rate to 3.3%, the highest level in nearly two years and exactly on forecast. Core CPI eased slightly to 2.6% YoY, coming in 10 basis...
Corn Prices Poised to Fall on Iran-US Ceasefire Pact
Corn prices have slipped to a four‑week low as the US‑Iran cease‑fire removes the immediate threat of nitrogen‑fertilizer disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts at BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, lifted their 2026 average CBOT corn forecast to 458.2 cents...
Inflation Up 3.3% in March Amid Highest Inflationary Period Since 2022
U.S. consumer prices jumped 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, the steepest rise since June 2022, as the six‑week war with Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz and pushed crude toward $100 a barrel. Gasoline surged 21.2% and all fuel categories rose...
FMI Releases Statement on March CPI Food Price Numbers
The Food Industry Association (FMI) highlighted the March Consumer Price Index, showing a 0.2% month‑over‑month dip in food‑at‑home prices while overall grocery inflation remains 1.9% higher than a year ago. Core staples such as beef, poultry, fish, eggs, cereal, bakery...
Investors Increasingly Influenced by Industrial Policy and Technology Prowess, Amid ...
Management consultancy Kearney’s 2026 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index shows that despite heightened geopolitical tension, 88% of surveyed firms intend to raise FDI over the next three years. Industrial policy now ranks as a decisive factor, with 84% of investors...
Latest CPI Data Show Inflation Jumping. This Is What It Means for Advisors
The U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, driven by a 10.9% jump in the energy index and a 21.2% surge in gasoline prices. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased only 0.2% month‑over‑month, missing expectations. Analysts...
Trump Has an Incentive to Strike a Deal with Iran, as Midterms Approach. But at What Cost?
A ceasefire announced on April 7 gives the Trump administration a narrow window to negotiate a settlement with Iran ahead of the November midterms. President Trump views a deal as a political off‑ramp that could soften voter concerns about a costly,...
Oil to Test Wartime Highs If Hormuz Standstill Drags
Oil could revisit wartime price peaks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked until July, JPMorgan Chase notes. The market expects half of normal oil flows to resume by May and full capacity by June, but a slower return to...
Fed, Mortgage Rates, Likely to Hold Steady on Latest Inflation Report
The March Consumer Price Index showed a 0.9% monthly rise in headline inflation, driven largely by a 21% jump in gasoline and a 31% surge in fuel oil. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased only 0.2% month‑over‑month, staying...
Guidance: Preston Guidance: March 2026
The UK Treasury has published the March 2026 Preston guidance, releasing updated earnings and interest factors that employers must use to calculate pension reinstatement for part‑time workers. The guidance stems from 2000‑2001 European Court of Justice and House of Lords decisions...
Kenya Leaves Benchmark Lending Rate Unchanged on Inflation Jitters
Kenya’s central bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 8.75% after ten consecutive cuts, citing rising inflation risks from higher global oil prices. Inflation edged up to 4.4% in March, while private‑sector activity contracted, ending a six‑month growth streak....
Consumer Price Index up 0.9%, Fueled by Rising Price of Gas
The U.S. Consumer Price Index jumped 0.9% in March, largely propelled by a 21.2% surge in gasoline prices amid the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran. Over the past year, gas has risen 18.9%, while fuel oil climbed 44.2%, pushing the overall...
US Minerals Deal Helps Congo Raise $1.25bn in Maiden Bond
The Democratic Republic of Congo completed its inaugural sovereign Eurobond, raising $1.25 bn. The issue comprised $600 m of 2032 notes at an 8.75% yield and $650 m of 2037 notes at 9.50%, with order books reaching $2 bn and $2.8 bn respectively, allowing tighter...
Saudi Arabia Maintains Oil Exports From Key Red Sea Port for Now
Saudi Arabia’s east‑west pipeline, which feeds Red Sea export terminals, suffered a drone strike that knocked out one pumping station and cut capacity by about 700,000 barrels per day. The reduction won’t affect Yanbu’s shipments immediately because oil already in...
Starmer Told Trump to Be ‘Practical’ Amid Strait of Hormuz Tax Rumours
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump he spent most of their call discussing a practical plan to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, after warning that Trump’s actions were inflating UK energy bills. He emphasized that any...
Kenya Risks Loss of $40m Monthly Gulf Remittances
The World Bank warns that Kenya could lose up to $40 million each month in Gulf‑origin remittances as the Middle‑East conflict drags on. About 500,000 Kenyan workers are employed in Gulf construction and services, and their earnings are already slipping. The...
Wall Street’s Fear Gauge Just Flashed an Unusual Signal that Could Carry the S&P 500 to 7,400 Within Months
Fundstrat’s Tom Lee says the S&P 500’s recent rally and a VIX dip below 20 signal that the market bottom is in. The volatility gauge, which fell for the first time under 20 since the Israel‑Iran war began, is the third...
Dollar Slips as CPI Fails to Rattle Fed’s Transitory View, Islamabad Talks Awaited
The U.S. dollar eased after March CPI came in below expectations, with headline inflation spiking on energy but core inflation remaining subdued. The softer core reading reinforced the Federal Reserve’s view that the inflation shock is transitory, keeping near‑term rate‑cut...
Consumer Prices Spike as Expected Oil Shock Hits March CPI Report
U.S. CPI for March surged, rising 0.9% month‑over‑month to a 3.3% annual rate, driven largely by energy costs. The energy index jumped 10.9% year‑over‑year, with gasoline prices soaring 21.2%—the biggest monthly gain since 1967. Excluding food and energy, core inflation...
US Oil Exports to Hit 5M Barrels a Day Amid Global Crunch
U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports are set to reach a record 5 million barrels per day in May, up sharply from roughly 3.97 million in March. Asian refiners are snapping up the cargoes to replace Middle Eastern supply disruptions, prompting a surge...
A US Strategy for Energy Competition with China in Emerging Markets
Emerging economies will drive the bulk of global energy demand growth over the next 20 years, turning them into a strategic battleground for influence. China has leveraged the Belt and Road Initiative to provide over $230 billion in concessional loans and...
India’s Textile, Apparel Exports to US Slide Sharply in Jan-Feb 2026
India’s textile and apparel shipments to the United States contracted sharply in the first two months of 2026, falling from $1.69 billion to about $1.34 billion. Imports dropped 18.2% year‑on‑year in January and deepened to a 28.7% decline in February. By contrast,...
Pharmaceutical Tariffs and the Restructuring of Global Drug Supply Chains
The United States is rolling out new tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products, affecting an estimated $200‑$250 billion in annual trade. Because 70‑80% of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production is concentrated in India and China, manufacturers face limited flexibility and longer lead...
Global Chaos Has Become a Permanent Guest in Your Portfolio. This Strategist Says Big Tech and Emerging Markets Are Now...
Nuveen strategist Laura Cooper warns that markets are under‑pricing the escalating Iran war and its broader geopolitical fallout. She advises investors to tilt toward U.S. large‑cap technology and AI, overweight emerging markets such as South Korea and Brazil, and add...
Middle East Tensions Push CPI to 3.3% in March
The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.9% in March, pushing the annual inflation rate to 3.3% as Middle East tensions drove energy costs sharply higher. The energy index jumped 10.9%, led by a 21.2% surge in gasoline prices, which...