Markets, trade, and economic policy worldwide
Lloyds Bank reported a statutory pretax profit of £2.03 billion in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing estimates of £1.78 billion. The bank reiterated its full-year 2026 guidance and made no changes to provisions for motor finance commission.
The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz is driving global commodity price increases amid the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
European stocks are expected to open lower as the United Arab Emirates' exit from OPEC complicates the oil supply outlook.
Deutsche Bank posted higher-than-expected profit and revenue in the first quarter, as trading income held up and earnings from asset management and retail banking grew.
Mercedes-Benz reported Q1 2026 sales of €31.60 billion, below estimates of €31.8 billion, while adjusted EBIT was €1.77 billion, above estimates of €1.6 billion. The Cars division posted adjusted EBIT of €933 million and an adjusted return on sales of 4.1%, both exceeding estimates, and the company confirmed its 2026 guidance.
Santander reported Q1 2026 net income of €5.46 billion, surpassing the estimate of €4.97 billion. Net interest income was €11.02 billion, above the estimated €10.87 billion, and net loan-loss provisions were €3.23 billion, slightly above the forecasted €3.17 billion.
The European Union demands that Ukraine implement tax changes, otherwise the community will impose stricter conditions for the provision of a €90 billion loan. Bloomberg reported this citing sources. According to its data, Ukraine must increase VAT to 20% for companies operating under a preferential system and with an annual income of more than €77,400.
UBS reported Q1 2026 net income of $3.04 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $2.42 billion, and announced plans to repurchase $3 billion in shares during the second quarter.
EU may tighten conditions for granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan, Bloomberg reported.
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing reported a record profit in the first quarter, driven by a surge in listings and trading activity.
Shares in China's major rare earth producers rose after the government announced detailed penalties for unauthorized output, a new step to strengthen Beijing's control over the strategically vital industry.
US President Donald Trump has directed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian ports to increase economic pressure on Tehran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Taiwan’s equity market has overtaken Canada’s to become the world’s sixth largest, driven by strong demand for AI-linked shares and the rapid rise of chip giant TSMC.
Australia’s inflation remained above the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target band as higher fuel costs from Middle East supply disruptions compounded already-elevated price pressures to keep policymakers on a tightening path.
The Chinese startup Manus, once seen as an AI breakthrough, is now a cautionary tale after Beijing regulators ordered Meta to reverse its $2 billion investment.
Australian consumer prices surged 1.1% month-on-month in March after remaining flat in February, while the annual inflation rate eased to 4.6%, below the 4.8% forecast. The trimmed mean measure rose 0.3% on the month and 3.3% year-on-year.
China’s dominance of rare earths supply chains gives President Xi Jinping economic leverage worth $1.2 trillion in his planned summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in Beijing next month
Negotiations regarding a potential $500 million US government rescue financing package for Spirit Airlines have stalled as a group of lenders opposes terms that could significantly impact their recovery claims.
A new Gallup poll shows a record 55% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse, with many worried about paying monthly bills and minimum credit card dues.
Bill Ackman's combined IPO for his closed-end fund and alternative asset manager raised $5 billion, bolstering his capacity for Warren Buffett-style long-term investments.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent via X: The Treasury is targeting Iran's shadow banking network and cryptocurrency access, with recent measures having disrupted tens of billions of dollars in Iranian revenue.
Ares Management has written down the value of loans to three software businesses owned by Clearlake Capital, warning of difficult conversations ahead with companies vulnerable to disruption from artificial intelligence.
Nearly 100 ships of Russia's shadow fleet have crossed UK waters, undeterred by Prime Minister Starmer's threat, according to an exclusive Reuters report.
Trump is set to nominate McMaster for the Treasury's Financial Markets position.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has reduced its economic growth forecast for the United Kingdom, citing the impact of inflation and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Americans are more pessimistic about their finances than at any time in the past 25 years, according to a new poll.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has won a battle for the authority to force pension funds to invest a proportion of their assets domestically, overcoming House of Lords opposition as part of her economic growth initiatives.
Boise Cascade pleaded guilty to a federal charge of selling Chinese plywood that was sneaked into Florida to avoid duties.
Home Depot partner files for bankruptcy, impacting $HD, according to Benzinga.
Banxico Governor Rodríguez says the next monetary policy decision will consider making one last cut in the cycle.