Markets, trade, and economic policy worldwide
South Africa has extended its fuel tax cuts, citing the prolonged conflict in the Middle East as a threat to further increase domestic gasoline and diesel prices.
The US consumer confidence index for April registered 92.8, exceeding the median estimate of 89.0.
Meta is preparing to divest its acquisition of Manus following a regulatory ban imposed by China, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The World Bank projects fertilizer prices will rise by 31 percent in 2026.
U.S. crude oil prices have exceeded $100 per barrel following stalled peace negotiations with Iran and the United Arab Emirates' announcement of its withdrawal from OPEC.
German record label BMG agrees to buy Nashville-based independent music group Concord, in a deal that will create one of the largest music companies in the world.
Brazil’s inflation rose less than expected in early April, driven by higher food and fuel costs stemming from the war in Iran.
Ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to 35 last week, down from 78, amid ongoing regional blockades and attacks. Market analysts estimate a 49% probability that traffic levels will normalize before July.
The U.S. oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has risen by 5% amid market concerns regarding a potential impasse in the Middle East.
General Motors said it expects to receive $500 million in refunds from tariffs that were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.
OpenAI reportedly missed revenue targets, and shares of Oracle and chip stocks are falling.
Chinese authorities announced on Tuesday that China will expand zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, starting May 1, 2026.
Iran has banned steel exports, according to a report.
The European Parliament has endorsed a larger, more ambitious EU long-term budget and is calling for new taxes to increase future spending.
The Bank of Japan maintained its current interest rate following a split vote, while Governor Kazuo Ueda expressed uncertainty regarding the economic outlook.
General Motors raised its adjusted-profit guidance after the Supreme Court rejected President Trump's emergency tariffs, reducing costs for the carmaker.
General Motors reported Q1 2026 earnings, with adjusted EPS of $3.70 exceeding estimates of $2.60 and revenue of $43.6 billion, slightly above estimates. The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $11.50-$13.50 from a prior range of $11-$13.
Iran's customs authority has issued an executive instruction prohibiting the export of all types of steel slab, hot and cold rolled sheets, tin-plated sheets, coated sheets, galvanized sheets, colored sheets, as well as hot and cold strips, tin-plated strips, and galvanized strips.
BlackRock is bringing its roughly $2.5 billion money market fund to cryptocurrency exchange operator OKX.
FedEx is preparing to return its MD-11 cargo jets to service next month, enabling it to reduce leased planes it enlisted after regulators grounded all MD-11s following another carrier’s fatal crash in November.
Oil prices hit $110 while stocks waver on Iran impasse.
Global oil prices have risen above $110 per barrel following reports that President Donald Trump is dissatisfied with a proposal from Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
European Union member states have pledged more than €10 billion in financial support to protect consumers and businesses from rising energy costs linked to the ongoing war involving Iran.
Meta Platforms is preparing to have to unwind its acquisition of the artificial-intelligence startup Manus after China banned the transaction on national-security grounds Monday.
The Bank of Japan kept its interest rates unchanged, but three board members dissented and called for a rate increase.
Eneos Holdings is the only remaining bidder for some of Chevron’s Asian assets in a transaction that could be valued at more than $2 billion.
Euro zone banks tightened credit standards in the second quarter as the Iran conflict weighed on economic outlook, an ECB survey showed.
BP reported a quarterly profit of $3.2 billion, more than doubling its previous results, which the company attributed to increased trading activity linked to the war in Iran.
Consumer price index expectations for the Euro area over the next year have risen to 4%, an increase from the previously estimated 2.8%.
US equity ETFs including SPY, VOO, and IVV have driven a historic rebound since the March low, with record daily inflows of $7.5 billion contributing to a $100 billion total inflow.