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Quirino Mealha

Markets

Oil prices surge above $126 as Iran war continues to intensify

Oil markets face extreme pressure, with Brent crude briefly touching $126 on Thursday morning, as a breakdown in diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran now seems likely to reignite military action.

Markets

First Ukrainian companies added to London-listed reconstruction fund

For the first time Ukrainian equities have been included in a London-listed fund, which aims to channel investment into the nation’s eventual post-war reconstruction and current economic resilience.

Markets

Oil prices rise despite UAE exit from OPEC amid Iran ceasefire impasse

Oil markets are navigating a period of unprecedented volatility after the UAE announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the OPEC+.

Economy

Iran war to trigger largest energy price surge since 2022, report says

The World Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook report predicts a 24% surge in energy prices this year as the Iran war delivers a historic shock to global supply chains.

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Business

TotalEnergies ramps up refinery output to secure French fuel supply

TotalEnergies has maximised its output at the Gonfreville refinery to protect the French market from external supply shocks. The facility is operating at its limit to produce essential fuels as energy markets remain disrupted.

Economy

ECB rate dilemma: Eurozone growth stalls as Iran war fuels inflation

The European Central Bank faces heightened uncertainty ahead of next week’s rate decision, with President Christine Lagarde warning the "stop-start nature" of the Iran war is making the economic outlook harder to assess.

Business

Intel shares soar 20% as AI demand fuels first quarter earnings beat

Intel posted first-quarter results that beat expectations, sparking a 20% rise in its share price in after-hours trading. The US government's stake in the company, acquired under the Trump administration, is up nearly 300%.

Markets

Hair dryer trick behind €25,000 win? France probes Polymarket bet scam

Officials in France have launched an investigation into the potential compromise of national weather sensors after a series of anomalous temperature readings coincided with betting activity on Polymarket.

Business

EV sales spike nearly 50% in March amid Iran war energy shortage fears

EV growth in the EU is accelerating as Iran war disruption to the Strait of Hormuz tightens global oil and gas supplies, driving fuel price volatility.

Economy

Germany halves GDP forecast from 1% to 0.5% due to Iran war fallout

The German government has officially halved its economic growth forecast for 2026, citing the severe impact of energy shocks stemming from the Iran war. This revision reflects a significant cooling for Europe's largest economy.

Economy

Fed nominee Warsh rejects 'Trump sock puppet' label at Senate hearing

Kevin Warsh, the nominee for Chair of the US Federal Reserve, declared he has not pledged to lower interest rates to secure his position despite public calls from US President Donald Trump for immediate monetary easing.

Economy

UK inflation hits 3.3% as Iran war drives energy costs higher

British consumer prices rose at a faster pace in March, reaching 3.3% as the ongoing Iran war sent fuel prices soaring. The data has forced markets to reassess expectations for the Bank of England, with a previously anticipated interest rate cut next week now looking very unlikely.

Business

Iran war pushes Wall Street toward 24/7 tokenised trading

Driven by the need to manage risk outside of traditional exchange hours and the desire for greater capital efficiency, major banks and hedge funds are moving towards "always-on" digital infrastructure.

Markets

Global markets on edge as investors await US-Iran negotiations

European markets are trading mostly flat with Asian indices jumping higher and oil prices rising slightly as suspense builds around potential US-Iran negotiations and the end of the ceasefire in less than 48 hours.

Economy

Reignited US-Iran tensions likely to drive up petrol and diesel prices

As US representatives travel to Pakistan on Monday for a second round of talks with Iran, the lack of clarity over a possible deal is once again expected to place upward pressure on petrol and diesel prices.

Business

Anthropic's fast ascent: The strategy behind an $800 billion valuation

The AI firm Anthropic has emerged as a dominant force in the global technology sector, attracting investor interest that values the company at approximately $800 billion (€678.3bn), but what is behind the success?

Economy

Oil prices drop over 10% after Iran declares Strait of Hormuz 'open'

Oil prices have dropped over 10% in less than two hours after the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz "completely open" for the remainder of the current ceasefire with the US.

Markets

London metals index at record high amid aluminium supply squeeze fear

The London Metal Exchange’s benchmark has climbed to a fresh record as aluminium prices surge on fears of a severe and lasting shortfall in global supply following disruptions in the Middle East.

Markets

S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new all-time highs despite Iran war effects

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed at record highs on Wednesday despite the Iran war dragging on, the Strait of Hormuz remaining largely blocked and global economic growth forecasts being cut amid rising inflation.

Markets

Footwear firm Allbirds trades shoes for AI and shares rise over 550%

In a radical strategic overhaul, Allbirds is divesting its footwear business while securing $50 million (€42.4 million) in new financing to acquire GPUs and rebrand as NewBird AI.

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