GBP Holds Firm Despite Retail Sales Dip and Ongoing Middle East Tensions
UK retail sales contracted by -0.4% month-on-month but GBP is for now holding strong against its peers. Forecasted suggested a contraction of -0.7% from its previous number of 2%, indicating […]
UK Inflation Holds at 3% as Rate Hike Expectations Build
UK Inflation held steady at 3% this morning to keep in line with projections, although it is expected that inflation will start to climb upwards again as this reading for […]
Geopolitics Drive Markets as Middle East Tensions Escalate
Markets opened this week against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran over the weekend. Coordinated strikes targeted key Iranian military and nuclear-linked […]
Oil Prices Surge as Central Banks Hold Firm
The continued conflict in The Middle East has kept Oil prices elevated above $100 per barrel as the war seems set to continue after an Israeli air strike killed Iran […]
Oil Price Surge Sparks Volatility Across Currency Markets
Yesterday and over the night we have seen attacks on oil and gas infrastructure across the Middle East. Brent crude oil spiked to $105 on Tuesday morning following the attacks. […]
Eight Rate Decisions Set the Stage for a Volatile Week
Last week was a difficult one for Sterling. Cable closed out the week at 1.3220, and with oil prices breaching $100 per barrel once again, the broader macro backdrop remains […]
Dollar Strengthens as Oil Prices and Geopolitical Tensions Rise
Markets end the week with the U.S. Dollar remaining firmly supported as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to dominate sentiment. Rising oil prices and disruption to shipping through […]
Oil Prices Slide as Emergency Reserve Release Considered
Oil prices fell further earlier this morning after a release by the Wall Street Journal suggested the International Energy Agency was planning its largest ever emergency oil reserve release to […]
Energy Markets Surge as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Shakes Global Outlook
The past week has been unlike almost any other in recent memory for global markets. The joint US–Israeli military campaign against Iran, launched on 28 February under the codename Operation […]
Rising Oil Prices and Middle East Tensions Weigh on Market Sentiment
Investor sentiment has been shaken further by the escalating conflict across the Middle East, which has now entered its seventh day. Continued fears around global energy supplies have continued with […]