The Bank of England (BoE) held its benchmark interest rate steady on Thursday but signaled a more hawkish stance as rising energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict threaten to push inflation higher. The nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep rates unchanged at 3.75%, marking its first unanimous decision in over

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly declined last week, pointing to stable labor market conditions and a potential rebound in job growth in March, even as global uncertainties persist. Data released by the US Labor Department showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted

US Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining a cautious stance as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and mixed economic signals complicate the policy outlook. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 11-1 to keep the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, in line with market

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held the policy rates, while the US wholesale inflation surged. Trump administration also allowed a waiver permitting foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel between domestic ports to address price pressures and supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict. US Fed holds rates amid geopolitical uncertainty The US Federal Reserve kept interest

Lloyds share price rose for three consecutive days as London stocks continued their recovery today. It rose to 97.45p on March 18, up by 5.95% from its lowest level this month as investors focus on the upcoming Bank of England interest rate decision. Analysts predict hawkish Bank of England  Lloyds Bank, the parent company of

Germany is in the midst of a slow-motion economic unravelling — one that is almost entirely self-inflicted. Once the uncontested engine of European prosperity, the country now posts some of the weakest growth among advanced economies, has watched its industrial base wither, and faces a political crisis driven by a governing class too timid to

Cuba’s fragile economy is facing renewed strain as US pressure intensifies, raising concerns about how far the situation could escalate. President Donald Trump said on Monday he expected to have the “honour of taking Cuba”, adding that he could do anything he wants with the island. The remarks come as Cuba deals with a severe

Oil prices surged past $100 last week as flows through the Strait of Hormuz slowed. Tankers hesitated, insurers raised premiums, and traders began adjusting portfolios. The US asked its allies to secure the passage — a straightforward request in any previous crisis. This time, the response was almost universally negative. That refusal goes beyond Hormuz. It

The Arab Gulf is home to six small nations that together sit atop roughly a third of the world’s proven oil reserves. Today, they are more vulnerable than at any point since the Gulf War of 1991. For decades, oil wealth powered their transformation. Petrodollars turned desert outposts into global hubs for finance, tourism, and

After rising 2.3% in January, Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.8% year over year in February, pointing to easing price pressures. The slowdown in annual inflation largely reflects base-year effects. According to Statistics Canada, the main factor behind the lower headline CPI was price increases recorded in February 2025, when the GST/HST tax holiday