Macro update Oil prices extend rally: WTI climbed to $116.56 as supply concerns intensified, with prices now up more than 50% since the Iran war began. Hormuz shutdown drives risk: The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil flows, has severely disrupted exports and tightened global supply. Trump deadline approaches: […]
Japan’s leading index improved in February to the highest level in three-and-a-half years, preliminary data from the Cabinet Office showed Tuesday. The leading index, which measures future economic activity, rose to 112.4 in February from 112.1 in January. The expected score was 112.3. Subscribe to continue reading the article. This article is part of our
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Oil is nearing a $120 breaking point as US President Donald Trump’s Iran deadline looms, with markets increasingly focused on whether the US–Iran battle for Hormuz control will tip into full escalation. The urgency is rising as the “Power Plant Day” deadline approaches, with no clear resolution in sight. Markets are no longer reacting to
Oil pushes higher toward USD 115/bbl as Trump deadline looms • Middle East escalation intensifies with strikes across Iran, Saudi, Israel • Missile activity hits key Saudi industrial hub at Jubail • US signals limited appetite for further deadline extensions • Iran response seen as “tough” but still a negotiating tactic • Pentagon briefing cancelled,
Australia’s labour market showed signs of softening in March, as ANZ Job Advertisements fell 3.1% month-over-month, reversing a solid 3.2% increase recorded in February 2026. The latest figures, updated on 7 April 2026, suggest a cooling in hiring intentions after a strong start to the year. The ANZ Job Advertisements series, which tracks changes in
In a reversal of fortune, Nikkei 225 has now fallen to the bottom, becoming one of the worst-performing stock indices, with a loss of 9.2% recorded from February 28, 2026, to April 6, 2026 (see Fig. 1). Japan is a major oil importer, and the current US-Iran war, which is entering its 39th day, is
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Summary: Fire broke out in La Boca near the Bridge of the Americas and fuel-linked facilities Bridge traffic was suspended while authorities assessed structural safety One person was reported missing and two firefighters were injured Preliminary reports indicate the blaze began in a fuel tanker and spread Incident occurred beside the Pacific entrance area of
Summary: Services PMI falls to 46.3, back into contraction after 26 months Composite PMI fell to 46.6 in March, down from 52.4 in February Sharp drop from 52.8, weakest since November 2023 New orders decline, with exports hit by Middle East conflict Broad-based weakness, led by finance & insurance Input costs surge to multi-year highs
Fed officials warn inflation risks are intensifying, reinforcing a higher-for-longer policy stance. Earlier, Morgan Stanley argued that interest rates are what is standing in the way of a further rally in the S&P 500: That might remain the case if Goolsbee and Hammack are correct. Summary: Fed officials flag inflation as “orange” or worse, signalling
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The EURUSD moved higher during the Asian and early European sessions, breaking above both its 100- and 200-hour moving averages—a shift that tilted the short-term bias more bullish. The pair extended to a high near 1.15549, pushing above a key swing area before encountering sellers. Since that high, the corrective move lower has been orderly,
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Traders are slowly returning from a well-deserved Easter break, with volumes set to recover fully tomorrow. With the week starting on a softer pace, the US Dollar is taking a step back to leave some space for other FX currencies, Bitcoin (reaching $70,000!) and Equities after having worked overtime until today. Optimism had made a
IRNA reports that Iran has relayed its rejection of a ceasefire plan. The message from Tehran has been consistent, they want a permanent end to the war with security guarantees and compensation, not a temporary ceasefire. They say they’ve been attacked during negotiations before and want everything settled before unblocking Hormuz. “That’s not surprising,” said
The Institute for Supply Management released a report on Monday showing a slowdown in the pace of growth by U.S. service sector activity in the month of March. The ISM said its services PMI slid to 54.0 in March after jumping to 56.1 in February, although a reading above 50 still indicates growth. Economists had
