#energy-prices

#energy-prices

Canada's annual inflation rate rose to 2.4% in March, driven by high prices for energy, especially gas, due to the war in Iran.

Dollar weakness matters enormously for emerging market equities because most of these companies earn revenues in local currencies. When the dollar softens, those earnings translate into more dollars for U.S.-based investors, giving the portfolio a currency tailwind on top of any underlying business performance.

The world's top 100 oil and gas companies banked more than $30m every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran, with Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil among the biggest beneficiaries.

China's exports have decelerated as the Iran war starts to affect global demand and supply chains, according to Gary Ng, a senior economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis.

Octopus Energy reported that its heat pump orders more than doubled in March compared to February, while sales of solar power systems increased by almost 80%. This trend reflects a growing consumer shift towards renewable energy solutions.

Petrol stocks averaged 44-47% across the country before the conflict, but fell to between 36-43% in the weeks following February 28, hitting a low of 36% on March 4, 6, and 7.

The AIM Index is a survey of more than 140 Massachusetts employers that has run since 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The state's March rating was 47, down from 52 in February.

High energy prices are kryptonite for the housing market. Affordability, especially for those first-time home buyers, is now an elusive dream until oil prices come down and interest rates come down.

U.S. financial markets experienced a volatile week, largely influenced by geopolitical developments in the Middle East and fluctuations in energy prices. Investor sentiment was driven primarily by external events rather than domestic fundamentals.

The escalation of the US-Israel war with Iran has triggered a 'huge jolt' in consumer behaviour, with demand also rising for heat pumps, electric vehicles and home charging systems.

The figures show the severe impact the Iran war is already having on the euro zone economy. But, like in the 1970s, stagflation could become a widespread global phenomenon characterised by high inflation, low growth, and high unemployment, heavily driven by oil price shocks.

Sterling fell by 0.5% against the dollar, dropping below $1.33, as the US currency strengthened due to a flight to safety. The dollar index increased by 0.3%.