Iran War Is Making It Harder for the Federal Reserve to Cut Interest Rates

Oil shock leaves RBA with tough rates choice

Surging oil prices and above target inflation growth has given the Reserve Bank a difficult decision to make, but it won’t help household budgets.

Fed and ECB face a pivotal week as the oil shock revives inflation risk

The U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank head into this week’s policy meetings in a far more uncertain environment than they faced just two weeks ago. The Fed meets on March 17-18, and the ECB on March 18-19, just after the Middle East war pushed oil prices above US$100 a barrel and forced markets to rethink the expected path of interest rates. Even so, neither institution is expected to change borrowing costs at these meetings.

Iran war: Why gold prices are not soaring

Gold is typically seen as a safe haven, especially in times of war and other crises. Notwithstanding the ongoing war in Iran, the price is steady. What's driving the stability?

What we know so far about £53m emergency fund for heating oil customers

The cost of heating oil has soared since the start of the Iran war

Iran war is making it harder for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates

Some economists think the Fed, facing inflationary pressures from rising energy prices, may not cut interest rates at all this year.

UK mortgage shelf-life nosedives amid market uncertainty; Iran crisis pushing oil price higher – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe average shelf-life of a UK mortgage has shrivelled, even before the surge in energy price hammered hopes for interest rate cuts.Data provider Moneyfacts has calculated that the average shelf-life of a mortgage fell to 14 days, on the first of March, the lowest since August 2023.“Borrowers looking to refinance would be wise to act quickly to secure a new deal, as the significant push i…