Steady

Die ehemalige stellvertretende Premierministerin hat seit ihrem Rücktritt im vergangenen September einen schmalen Grat zwischen Loyalität und Interventionismus beschritten. Es ist fast acht Monate her, dass Angela Rayner das Kabinett aufgrund ihrer Steuerangelegenheiten verlassen hat, doch manche würden behaupten, dass ihr Einfluss auf die Regierung nicht verschwunden ist. Und bald könnte sie zurückkehren, sei es als Keir Starmers Retterin oder vielleicht als seine Usurpatorin. Es gibt zunehmende Spekulationen, dass der Premierminister eine kleine Kabinettsumbildung vornehmen könnte, primär um Rayner zurückzuholen, seine ehemalige Stellvertreterin und eines der politischen Schwergewichte von Labour. Weiterlesen...

• Die Federal Reserve stimmte am Mittwoch dafür, den Leitzins für Federal Funds unverändert bei 3,5 % bis 3,75 % zu belassen, und führte Bedenken hinsichtlich steigender Inflation angesichts des Krieges im Iran an. • Dies bedeutet die Fortsetzung der Pause der Fed bei den Zinsanpassungen nach drei aufeinanderfolgenden Senkungen um jeweils 25 Basispunkte im September, Oktober und Dezember 2025. • Fed-Vorsitzender Jerome Powell wird voraussichtlich um 14:30 Uhr ET eine Pressekonferenz abhalten, um die Entscheidung zu erläutern, was seine letzte Zinsbekanntgabe als Vorsitzender der Federal Reserve sein könnte.

• The Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75% during its March 2026 meeting, marking the second consecutive session without adjustment. • Policymakers cited solid economic expansion despite subdued job gains and elevated inflation above target levels. • The decision reflects caution amid global volatility, including Middle East conflicts driving oil prices up over 40% and renewed US trade frictions.

• The Guttmacher Institute released a report showing U.S. abortion rates have remained largely steady despite strict bans in 13 states. • Travel for abortions has declined as telehealth access increases, with data scientist Isaac Maddow-Zimet noting, 'It makes sense that we'd see a decline in travel for abortion.' • The findings highlight shifts in care delivery amid policy changes, impacting access in states like Illinois, Maryland, and New York.

Shift seen away from from traveling to states with legal abortion in favor of telehealth and mail-order pillsThe abortion rate is holding steady in the US despite total and partial bans in some states – largely because of travel across state lines and a significant increase in telehealth appointments, a new report says.US regulatory officials are weighing changes to the ways mifepristone, an abortion medication, may be dispensed, but they have reportedly pushed their review until after the midterm elections, given the widespread support for abortion across the US. Continue reading...

• US S&P 500 futures hovered near flat Friday morning as investors balanced elevated borrowing costs, sticky inflation and Middle East tensions pushing energy prices. • 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.41%, pressuring credit cards and business loans, while 30-year mortgage rates reached 6.38%, making home buying costlier. • Spain's inflation at 3.3% underscores persistent living costs; interest-rate sensitive sectors like banks, real estate and small caps face tighter credit conditions.

• The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady on March 19, 2026, in its first move since oil prices spiked due to the Iran war. • Officials cite inflationary pressures from energy disruptions but project stability if conflict de-escalates. • The decision impacts American consumers facing higher gas prices, influencing mortgage and loan rates nationwide.

• Wall Street indices declined sharply on Wednesday, March 18, with the S&P 500 falling 1.4% to 6,624.70, Dow Jones dropping 1.6% to 46,225.15, and Nasdaq sliding 1.5% to 22,152.42. • The Federal Reserve decided to keep its main interest rate unchanged, opting against resuming cuts to support the job market and economy amid rising inflation pressures. • Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated, “We just don’t know,” regarding the impact of surging oil prices and President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the economy.

ONS data for three months to January is unlikely to convince Bank of England to cut interest ratesBusiness live – latest updatesWage growth slowed sharply in the three months to January according to the latest snapshot of the jobs market from the Office for National Statistics.Average earnings fell to 3.8% in the three months to January, from 4.2%, which was a larger fall than forecast by City economists. It was the slowest rate of wage growth in more than five years. Continue reading...

Jerome Powell resists Trump pressure as policymakers weigh energy shock against a weakening US jobs marketSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the second time this year, a widely expected move amid turmoil in the Middle East and rising energy prices.Fed officials faced a confluence of issues to consider in their meeting this week: soaring oil and gas prices, fluctuating inflation that still remains above the Fed’s target of 2% and a weakened job market that unexpectedly saw 92,000 losses last month. Continue reading...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average held near 46,702 on March 13, 2026, but is down 1.6% for the week as investors take profits following strong early-year gains. This resilience contrasts with sharper Nasdaq (-0.6% week-to-date) and S&P 500 (-1.1%) drops amid rising oil and geopolitical concerns. The trend reflects normal market consolidation, with analysts viewing it as healthy after rallies in tech and semis. Upcoming focus remains on global oil flows and regional ceasefire talks.

Tesla held steady near $395 on March 13, 2026, showing stability amid Nasdaq's 100-point drop to 22,211 driven by geopolitical tensions. The performance reflects relative EV sector resilience, alongside NIO's 4% gain on improving global sentiment. This contrasts with broader profit-taking, positioning Tesla as a volatility outlier. Watch for EV policy shifts in upcoming sessions.