The full impact of the energy supply disruption from the Iran conflict has yet to be felt, signaling that policymakers are prepared to adjust interest rates at any upcoming meeting, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said. Speaking at the ECB Watchers conference, Lagarde emphasized that while the central bank cannot control energy prices directly, officials are closely monitoring fo...
The full impact of the energy supply disruption from the Iran conflict has yet to be felt, signaling that policymakers are prepared to adjust interest rates at any upcoming meeting, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said. Speaking at the ECB Watchers conference, Lagarde emphasized that while the central bank cannot control energy prices directly, officials are closely monitoring for signs of broader inflationary spillover. The comments, as reported by CNBC, come as markets are now pricing in the possibility of two to three rate hikes this year, with the first potential move as early as April. This marks a dramatic shift from earlier expectations that the ECB would remain on the sidelines throughout 2026. Lagarde drew important distinctions between the current situation and the 2022 energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. “The initial shock this time is smaller than in 2022,” she noted, adding that “the Euro Area economy is in a moderate recovery without the pronounced demand-supply imbalances that characterized 2022.” She also highlighted that headline inflation has remained near the 2% target for almost a year and that acute labor shortages have eased. However, the ECB president cautioned that significant risks remain on the horizon. “A further cliff edge is also approaching. Global oil reserves are being drawn down, and the last LNG tankers that loaded in the Gulf before the war are now reaching their destinations, meaning the full impact of lost supply is only about to be felt,” Lagarde warned. The central bank chief stressed that the ECB has learned from its 2022 experience when forward guidance on asset purchases limited its flexibility. “We will not act before we have sufficient information on the size and persistence of the shock and its propagation, but we will not be paralyzed by hesitation,” she stated. Lagarde framed the ECB’s current meeting-by-meeting approach as a strategic advantage rather than a weakness. By abandoning precommi...
Getty Images By Ewa Manthey, Commodities Strategist and Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy Oil prices slid on ceasefire hopes, while gold recovered as easing energy prices and a softer dollar offset still-elevated geopolitical risks Energy – Oil falls on ceasefire hopes Oil prices fell sharply on reports of renewed ceasefire efforts, with Brent sinking as much as 7% toward $97/bbl befo...
Getty Images By Ewa Manthey, Commodities Strategist and Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy Oil prices slid on ceasefire hopes, while gold recovered as easing energy prices and a softer dollar offset still-elevated geopolitical risks Energy – Oil falls on ceasefire hopes Oil prices fell sharply on reports of renewed ceasefire efforts, with Brent sinking as much as 7% toward $97/bbl before paring losses, while WTI traded near $89/bbl. Markets reacted to reports that the US has drafted a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, reportedly delivered to Iran via Pakistan, although details remain unclear. Despite the initial market relief, uncertainty remains high. Tehran fired a fresh wave of missiles at Israel and signalled little willingness to compromise, while Iran also reiterated that foreign ships can transit the Strait of Hormuz only if they comply with Tehran’s regulations and are not supporting acts of aggression. Earlier, the US ordered the deployment of around 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region, underscoring the risk of further escalation. The oil market was also weighed down by a bearish inventory report from the American Petroleum Institute. US crude inventories rose by 2.3m barrels last week, versus expectations for a modest draw of around 190k barrels. Gasoline stocks increased by 0.5m barrels and distillate inventories rose by 1.4m barrels, with markets now awaiting official EIA data later today. Overall, volatility remains elevated and a geopolitical risk premium persists. Ongoing tensions continue to support higher prices, stoke inflation concerns, and reinforce expectations that policymakers may delay easing, or even tighten, monetary policy. In gas markets, European gas prices fell for a third consecutive session, ending Tuesday nearly 5% lower as markets reassessed the outlook for the conflict. While any ceasefire would ease immediate risks to global energy trade, markets remain braced for prolonged supply d...
Pressing tasks for new director general also include an expiring royal charter, and finding a new top team Matt Brittin may have only just been announced as the new BBC director general, but his inbox is already overflowing. Here are his immediate challenges: Continue reading...
Pressing tasks for new director general also include an expiring royal charter, and finding a new top team Matt Brittin may have only just been announced as the new BBC director general, but his inbox is already overflowing. Here are his immediate challenges: Continue reading...
After almost two decades at Google, the corporation’s incoming director general is taking on British media’s most powerful and treacherous job In recent months, Matt Brittin, the Doctor Who-loving fitness fanatic and former Google executive, has made no secret of his desire to make the jump from big tech to the world of broadcasting. At the end of last year, he told an event filled with some of te...
After almost two decades at Google, the corporation’s incoming director general is taking on British media’s most powerful and treacherous job In recent months, Matt Brittin, the Doctor Who-loving fitness fanatic and former Google executive, has made no secret of his desire to make the jump from big tech to the world of broadcasting. At the end of last year, he told an event filled with some of television’s most senior figures that he had wanted to break into their industry “for a very long time”. Continue reading...
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD) stands as one of the most popular dividend-growth vehicles on the market. Since its inception on October 20, 2011, the fund has delivered a cumulative total return of 478%, equating to a 13.3% annualized average. With a current yield of 3.3%, SCHD has turned a hypothetical $10,000 investment ... SCHD Just Made Big Changes. Is This Dividend Growth...
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD) stands as one of the most popular dividend-growth vehicles on the market. Since its inception on October 20, 2011, the fund has delivered a cumulative total return of 478%, equating to a 13.3% annualized average. With a current yield of 3.3%, SCHD has turned a hypothetical $10,000 investment ... SCHD Just Made Big Changes. Is This Dividend Growth ETF Still a Buy?