United States

Venezuela's acting president?Delcy Rod said on Wednesday that her government will make a'responsible' increase to workers' wages on 'May 1'. Her administration is looking to leverage the 'oil' and mining developments in order to improve workers' pay. She did not provide a number for the increase in wages. Venezuela's minimum wage is 130 bolivares a month, which is equivalent to a few cents. However, many public workers earn much more, thanks to bonuses and other payments, to the tune of $150 if they are lucky. The immediate, medium-term, and long-term goal of the government is to gradually and steadily restore...

?U.S. Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that all imports of military equipment from Iran will be subject to immediate 50% tariffs. There would be no exceptions. He made the announcement in a post on social media just hours after agreeing to a two-week ceasefire. Trump's Truth Social posting did not specify the legal authority that he would use to impose these tariffs. In February, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in order to impose global tariffs. A lower court ordered refunds for $166 billion collected during the course of one year. The...

Investors are putting together a "Trump trade' playbook to?navigate market uncertainty. This includes determining whether a U.S. - Iran ceasefire will last and whether oil prices will remain high for longer. As geopolitics continue to dominate the economy, it is difficult to move money based on long-term perspectives. During the Iran War, many?investors have placed shorter-term bets instead on assets which may have been?mispriced?. Here is a list of some new Trump trades. 1/OIL PRICE WILL STAY HIGHER FOR A LONGER TIME Oil prices fell almost 15% to $100 per barrel in the wake of the ceasefire on Wednesday, but...

U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States and Iran are working closely together and discussing relief from tariffs and sanctions. This follows the announcement of the two-week ceasefire. Trump backed away from a full-on attack on Iran, which he had threatened to launch 'on Tuesday night. Two hours before the deadline that he set for Tehran in order to open up the Strait of Hormuz. He stated on social media that he had agreed to many of the 15 points in his plan for Iran, but did no elaborate. In a post on social media, Trump...

The physical oil market is still in a state of turmoil despite a planned two-week stopfire between Iran and the United States. Brent crude oil contracts plunged as much as 16% in the early Asian trade on Wednesday, after finishing at $109.27 on Monday. The sharp drop in prices reflects relief that President Donald Trump's alarming threats against Iran civilisation to be wiped out have been postponed. This also reflects the optimism that crude, refined products and liquefied gas (LNG), may be able to resume and continue through the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations are successful. There is a rule...

Three trade sources reported that independent Chinese refiners, with new import quotas issued by Beijing, began'seeking immediate cargoes of Iranian oil after the oil price slumped on Wednesday. Brent crude futures fell below $100 per barrel on Wednesday, the lowest since March 11 after a?U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he agreed to a ceasefire of two weeks with Iran, subject to an immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the U.S. - Iran conflict erupted in late February, the Chinese refiners - known as teapots - have largely stayed out of the fray. This has caused...

The World Bank stated on Tuesday that Nigeria's economy will grow in the first half of 2026, despite the Iran War. However, rising fuel prices and persistently high inflation could squeeze incomes, slowing poverty reduction. Fiseha Haile, World Bank Nigeria's lead economist during a presentation held in Abuja said that business activity remains in growth territory. The conflict between the U.S./Israel and Iran has so far lifted prices while leaving output mostly intact. The impact of the growth shock has been contained, as the overall business activity has increased over the last few months. "But the shock is still felt...

JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, slammed the European Union on Tuesday for its "disgraceful interference" in an election held in?Hungary. He also praised Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his role as an ally to Donald?Trump when it comes to the defence of Western civilization. Here are some key quotes from the joint press conference in Budapest. VANCE ON HUNGARIAN ELSECTION "What happened in this country and what happened during this election campaign is one of worst examples of foreign interference in elections that I have ever read or seen ..." "The bureaucrats at Brussels have tried to destroy Hungary's...

Iran and Israel exchanged attacks on Tuesday, as Tehran defiantly refused to reopen Strait of Hormuz or accept a ceasefire agreement on the eve of the deadline set by U.S. president Donald Trump for Tehran to comply with his demands. According to a source familiar with the plan, Iran rejected the U.S. proposal that was mediated by Pakistan. The plan called for an "immediate" ceasefire, the lifting of the effective blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and then talks about a wider peace settlement to be held within 15 to 20 working days. IRNA, the official news agency, reported that...

The head of the International Monetary Fund said on Monday that the war in the Middle East would 'lead to increased inflation and slower growth globally,' ahead of the upcoming?new forecast by the global lender next week. The conflict has caused 'the worst disruption to global energy supply ever', as millions of barrels of production have been shut down due to Iran's effective blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. This is crucial for shipping 1/5th of all oil and gas in the world. Kristalina Georgeieva, IMF managing director, stated that even if the conflict was quickly resolved, the IMF would...

Venezuela's government, its political opposition and the United States are coordinating their legal defenses of Venezuela's oil-rich assets. Washington's recognition of interim president Delcy Rodriquez raised questions regarding who could represent Venezuela in U.S. court. The lawyers for Rodriguez's government, as well as the opposition, asked Manhattan's U.S. Magistrate Sarah Netburn to pause for 45-days a case where creditors seek to seize funds?linked to Petroleos de Venezuela until they decided who would represent Venezuelan interests. The letter "signaled" potential cooperation between the Rodriguez government and the opposition in safeguarding U.S. assets, such as the Houston-based oil refiner Citgo Petroleum, from...

Wells Fargo Investment Institute has downgraded their rating for the S&P 500 Energy Sector to "unfavorable". They cited limited 'prospects' of a sustained 'oil-price premium risk premium despite?the Middle East conflict. This move comes after a gain of more than 6% in the benchmark S&P 500's energy index since the beginning of the war. It is the best performance among the 11 major S&P sector. WFII strategists stated that "Sector Performance has Improved 'Materially in 2026. Supported by an unexpected Cold Snap earlier this year, and the increase in oil prices as a response to the War... However, our base...

The price of refined fuels has fallen sharply, in line with the declines seen in crude oil after the tentative ceasefire agreement between the United States & Iran. However, the prices remain at levels that indicate a shortage. The prices of gasoil and jet fuel in Singapore, the Asian trading center, all dropped by?double digits on Wednesday amid relief from the market that the 'deal' may lead to the reopening of Strait of Hormuz. The 'ceasefire' and commitment to peace talks announced by the United States in separate announcements looks already to be on its way out. Tehran said it...

Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, welcomed the ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran on Wednesday, but criticised the rhetoric of Donald Trump. Trump agreed to the two-week ceasefire just two hours before he set a deadline for Tehran to open up the Strait o'Hormuz, or face devastating attacks against its civilian infrastructure. His announcement via?social media was a sudden change from earlier that day when he had issued a warning saying "a whole civilisation will die tonight" in the event his demands were not met. Albanese told Sky News that the ceasefire is welcome but Trump's rhetoric...

U.S. refiner Philips 66 reported on Monday that its first-quarter earnings were impacted by a sharp rise in commodity prices. This left?it? with nearly $900,000,000 in mark-to market losses before taxes, according to an SEC filing. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran started in late February. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a chokepoint for a fifth of world oil and gas supplies - has caused global energy markets to be roiled and crude prices have soared. Phillips 66’s losses are mainly due to its net short positions in derivatives contracts relating to crude oil and refined...

A spokesperson from India's Foreign Ministry said that the Maldives was seeking fuel supplies. India?is still shipping fuel to its neighboring countries?, she added. Randhir Jaiswal, at a press conference, stated that India is the world's?fourth largest refiner? and supplies fuel to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. The government of Maldives also contacted us to supply petroleum products on a short-term as well as long-term basis. Jaiswal stated that the request from Maldives is being evaluated in light of our own needs and availability. According to World Bank statistics, the Maldives sources most of its fuel from Oman. The...

Oil prices rose more than $4 on Thursday, after President Donald Trump announced that the United States will 'continue to strike iran in the coming weeks, including energy and oil targets, but did not give a timeline for the end of the war. Brent crude futures increased by $4.88 or 4.8% to $106.04 a barrel at 0200 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures rose $4.17 or 4.2% to $104.29 per barrel. Both benchmarks fell by more than $1 on Thursday, before Trump's speech. They also settled lower the previous session. Trump stated in a televised address?to the country that?the...

The New York Auto Show saw major automakers unveil new 'electric vehicles' on Wednesday, despite weak consumer demand and sales that have plummeted since Washington removed the $7,500 tax credit for EVs. Kia announced that it will'start selling its lower-priced EV3 to the United States in later this year. Subaru also offered a three-row EV called the "Getaway", which can seat seven. The Japanese automaker will launch its family EV SUV in the U.S. later this year or early next year. It is their fourth EV. The U.S. electric vehicle market is becoming more competitive, but the recent rise in...

Four sources said that Delcy Roddez, interim president of Venezuela, is preparing to take control of the U.S. subsidiaries owned by state oil company PDVSA, including Citgo Petroleum. The move could exacerbate a tug-of-war for control of the seventh largest U.S. refiner. Two sources claim that Rodriguez is still working on her list of board members to be approved by the Treasury. Some names were not received well in Washington. The sources say that if the executives are approved by the Treasury, then the Office of Foreign Assets Control would issue a license. One of the sources said that Treasury...

Retail sales in the United States increased the most since'seven months' in February, as motor vehicle purchases recovered and temperatures rose. However, rising gasoline prices due to the Middle East war could limit spending in months ahead. Commerce Department's delayed report from?Wednesday indicated that the economy had been on a solid footing before?the U.S. and Israel war with Iran. The conflict that began at the end February has caused global oil prices to surge by more than 50%. This week, the average national retail gasoline price surpassed $4 for the first time since more than three year. Economists have warned...

In a Wednesday decree, the Argentine government announced that it would delay the implementation of tax increases scheduled for liquid fuels, carbon dioxide and other pollutants. This was done in response to the global instability brought about by the U.S./Israeli war on Iran. The decree stated that the move was intended to "support economic growth by sustainable fiscal measures". The decree also stated that the measure would delay the anticipated?tax increase on liquid fuels, carbon dioxide, and other gases for a month, to the end of April. The decree added that this is the second step taken by President Javier...

Retail sales in the U.S. increased in February, as motor vehicle purchases rebounded. Temperatures also warmed. However, rising gasoline prices due to the war in the Middle East may?cripple spending in upcoming months. The Commerce Department's Census Bureau reported on Wednesday that retail?sales increased 0.6% following a 0.1% decline in January. The economists polled had predicted that retail sales (which are mainly goods and not adjusted for inflation) would rise 0.5% following a 0.2% decline in January. After the government shutdown last year, the?Census Bureau has yet to release data. U.S./Israeli conflict with Iran pushed global oil prices up more...

Tom Barkin, Richmond Federal Reserve Bank president, said that businesses continue to believe high oil prices are only a temporary disruption. There is little evidence yet to suggest they have caused consumers to cut back on their spending or changed public expectations of inflation in an alarming way. Barkin said on Tuesday that he had a "short-term" view of the situation based on his weekly credit card spending data and his conversations with executives on pricing, investments and other topics. "Gas expenditure is up, but other spending looks healthy," said Barkin. Barkin is not voting on interest rate policy for...

Federal Reserve Chair?Jerome Powell said on Monday that the U.S. Central Bank can wait to see the impact of the Iran War on the economy and inflation. He noted that policymakers usually look past shocks like those caused by higher oil prices. Powell told a Harvard University macroeconomics class that he felt his policy was in a "good?place" to watch how the war with Iran will affect the economy and inflation. The Iran war is now in its fifth week, and the U.S. As gasoline prices increase to an average of around $4 per gallon, the Fed is faced with...