Hit Iran

• Il Presidente Trump ha discusso dell'onere finanziario del conflitto con l'Iran, dei potenziali tentativi di impeachment da parte dei Democratici e dei piani per le elezioni di metà mandato in un'intervista esclusiva con Sharyl Attkisson a Full Measure. • Ha affrontato le future aspirazioni politiche di suo figlio Barron Trump, le preoccupazioni sulla sicurezza dei vaccini e i piani per un audit dell'oro di Fort Knox. • Trump ha inoltre commentato lo spostamento delle partite della NFL dalla TV gratuita e temi politici più ampi in un contesto di tensioni geopolitiche costanti.

• Halifax afferma che il costo di una casa tipica è sceso dello 0,1% in aprile, il secondo calo mensile consecutivo, con il ritmo della crescita annuale sceso dallo 0,8% allo 0,4%. • Notizie economiche – aggiornamenti in tempo reale: i prezzi delle case nel Regno Unito sono scesi per il secondo mese consecutivo in aprile, mentre Halifax ha dimezzato la sua stima per il tasso di crescita annuale a causa del conflitto in Medio Oriente. • Halifax, che fa parte di Lloyds – il più grande prestatore ipotecario della Gran Bretagna – ha dichiarato che il costo di una tipica casa nel Regno Unito è sceso dello 0,1% in aprile, arrivando a £299.313. Ciò segue un calo dello 0,5% registrato a marzo. Continua a leggere...

Il colosso degli elettrodomestici taglia le previsioni di guadagno e aumenta i prezzi del 10%, con un ulteriore incremento del 4% previsto. Con la guerra in Iran e le preoccupazioni economiche che esercitano pressione sui consumatori e sulle loro abitudini di spesa, Whirlpool deve adattarsi al fatto che gli americani stiano rimandando gli acquisti di beni costosi, aumentando al contempo i prezzi per aiutare a stabilizzare la sua attività in Nord America. La società, nota per marchi come KitchenAid, Maytag e l'omonima Whirlpool, ha dichiarato che la guerra in Iran ha portato a un «declino del settore a livello di recessione» in America, mentre la fiducia dei consumatori crollava tra fine febbraio e marzo. I ricavi sono scesi di quasi il 10% nel trimestre, mentre le vendite di grandi elettrodomestici in Nord America sono diminuite di oltre il 7%. Continua a leggere...

Il gruppo retail con 4.800 negozi in tutto il mondo prevede un calo dei profitti quest'anno a causa di un "mercato spento" Business live – ultimi aggiornamenti Il rivenditore di moda sportiva JD ha avvertito che i profitti scenderanno quest'anno a causa di un "mercato spento", colpito dalla debolezza della spesa dei giovani e dalle preoccupazioni per il conflitto in Medio Oriente. La società, che gestisce 4.800 negozi in tutto il mondo, incluse le catene JD, Blacks e Millets nel Regno Unito, ha dichiarato di prevedere profitti tra i 750 e gli 850 milioni di sterline per l'anno a venire, dopo aver registrato 852 milioni di sterline nell'anno conclusosi a gennaio. Continua a leggere...

Il presidente degli Stati Uniti mette in pausa il ‘Project Freedom’ per lavorare a un ‘accordo finale’ con Teheran; le borse cavalcano l'euforia per l'AI

Le vendite di BEV sono aumentate di quasi il 60% ad aprile, portando le immatricolazioni totali di auto elettriche a oltre 2 milioni, dichiara SMMT Business live – ultimi aggiornamenti Un recente balzo nelle vendite di auto elettriche nel Regno Unito sarà probabilmente "attenuato" dalle preoccupazioni per l'aumento dell'inflazione e dei prezzi dell'energia causati dalla guerra in Iran, ha avvertito un importante organismo di settore. Le vendite di auto nuove nel Regno Unito sono aumentate del 24% su base annua, raggiungendo le 149.247 unità ad aprile, secondo la Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Continua a leggere...

• I prezzi medi nazionali della benzina sono balzati a livelli storici il 3 maggio 2026, nel contesto dell'attuale guerra con l'Iran e delle interruzioni nelle principali rotte petrolifere come lo Stretto di Hormuz. • L'impennata dei prezzi del carburante e dei generi alimentari sta colpendo duramente il portafoglio degli americani, contribuendo al calo dei sondaggi per il Presidente Trump. • Il Segretario del Tesoro Scott Bessent ha dichiarato che il blocco economico degli Stati Uniti sta soffocando il regime dell'Iran, costandogli 435 milioni di dollari al giorno in attività economica.

• Un sondaggio Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos condotto dal 24 al 28 aprile mostra che il disapprovazione verso il Presidente Trump è al 62%, il valore più alto dei suoi due mandati, con un'approvazione generale del 37%. • Solo il 34% approva la sua gestione economica e il 33% quella della guerra in Iran, alimentando le preoccupazioni del GOP per possibili perdite nelle elezioni di metà mandato. • I Democratici hanno un vantaggio di 5 punti nei test generici per la Camera, rispetto ai 2 punti di precedentemente.

• Utili superiori alle aspettative, ma quasi la metà di un onere di svalutazione di 283 milioni di sterline segue una rivalutazione delle previsioni • Business live – ultimi aggiornamenti • NatWest ha dichiarato che le ripercussioni economiche del conflitto in Medio Oriente potrebbero costarle 140 milioni di sterline in un contesto di crescita rallentata e inflazione in aumento, nonostante abbia riportato utili superiori alle previsioni.

As his defense secretary testified before House committee, Trump posted AI-generated image of himself with a weapon and a caption saying ‘NO MORE MR. NICE GUY’Pete Hegseth has denied that the US-Israel war on Iran is “a quagmire” and claimed critics of the operation posed a greater threat to the US than Iran itself, as he came under pressure to set out Washington’s strategy for the conflict.Appearing before the House armed services committee alongside Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff, the US defense secretary asked lawmakers to approve a $1.5tn budget in military spending – and then described some of them as “the biggest challenge” to the war effort. Continue reading...

Bank expects its base case for GDP growth to be 0.5% this year, lower than IMF’s 0.8% prediction for BritainBusiness live – latest updatesLloyds has warned that the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict could cost it £151m amid rising unemployment and inflation and a slowdown in the housing market.The FTSE 100 group, whose brands include Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, issued a downbeat economic forecast that it said reflects the stagflationary consequences – the double hit of rising inflation at the same time as slower economic growth – for the UK and global economies. Continue reading...

Soaring oil prices and the blockade are preventing food, fuel and medicine being delivered to millions of people in desperate need, say NGOsThe volatility of global oil prices caused by the US and Israel’s war on Iran is taking a toll on the most vulnerable people, by slowing or blocking food and medical aid from reaching them.Now aid organisations are calling for a “humanitarian corridor” to be opened through the strait of Hormuz amid rocketing transportation costs. Continue reading...

Niesr says even under best-case scenario, economy would grow at slower pace in 2026 and 2027 because of conflictBritain is facing a £35bn economic hit and the risk of a recession this year as the fallout from the Iran war adds to the pressure on Keir Starmer’s government, a leading thinktank has warned.The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) said that even under a best-case scenario the UK economy would grow at a much slower pace this year and next because of the Middle East conflict. Continue reading...

• US stocks recently reached an all-time high even as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran dominate headlines, suggesting investor confidence in economic fundamentals. • The market surge occurs amid what analysts describe as a major market disruption cycle, with oil shocks and other disruptions rattling investors before receding. • The disconnect between headline risks and market performance highlights investor focus on sustained economic growth and underlying corporate fundamentals over short-term geopolitical concerns.

FTSE 100 slides and UK gas prices up amid fears strait of Hormuz will be closed for extended periodBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose sharply and European stock markets fell on Monday, after the US seizure of an Iranian vessel hit hopes for a peace deal.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 5% on Monday to $95.50 (£70.75) a barrel. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to close above 7,000 points for the first time, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.6% to a record high, driven by gains in technology and software stocks and optimism over potential U.S.-Iran peace talks. • Bank of America posted a 17% rise in quarterly profit from strong trading and investment banking fee rebounds, while Morgan Stanley reported a near 30% profit jump supported by record equities trading revenue and improved dealmaking activity. • Stock index futures edged higher after-hours, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.2% to 7,070.75 points and Nasdaq 100 Futures rising 0.3% to 26,440.75 points, reflecting continued market momentum.

Budget airline says passengers are leaving it later to book flights owing to economic uncertaintyBusiness live – latest updatesThe budget airline easyJet has warned the impact of the Iran war on bookings and oil prices will hit its profits, having driven up fuel costs by £25m in the last month alone.It said it expected to report an increased pre-tax loss of £540-£560m for the six months to March, up from £394m in the first half of 2024-25. The carrier typically makes its money in the second half of the year which includes the peak summer period. Continue reading...

New meeting to come after rare direct talks between the countries mediated by US; Netanyahu earlier says Israel about to ‘overwhelm’ part of southern LebanonUS and Iran in indirect talks to extend two-week ceasefireHello and welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.Donald Trump says the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will hold talks on Thursday, after the countries’ first face-to-face diplomatic negotiations in decades.Pakistan’s army chief met with Iran’s foreign minister in Tehran on Wednesday in the latest diplomatic move to ease Middle East tensions and arrange a second round of US-Iran negotiations. Trump said earlier that the war was “very close to over”.Leavitt said a second round of US-Iran talks would “very likely” take place in Islamabad again and that Pakistan was “the only mediator” in the discussions.Major Wall Street stock indices extended an upward climb on optimism about a US-Iran agreement.Israel’s security cabinet met to discuss a ceasefire after the Israel-Lebanon talks mediated by the US in Washington on Tuesday. But the Israeli military continues to strike the country, with Netanyahu saying Israel was about to “overwhelm” the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, calling it a Hezbollah stronghold.Four Lebanese rescue workers were killed in consecutive Israeli strikes in the southern Lebanon village of Mayfadoun on Wednesday, paramedic groups said. Six others were wounded.The US military’s Middle East command Centcom said it stopped 10 vessels from sailing out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of the US naval blockade. But ship tracking data indicated at least three ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the strait of Hormuz, though some vessels taking the route later turned back.The finance ministers of 11 countries including the UK and Japan called for “coordinated emergency support” from the IMF and World Bank to help countries hit by disruptions from the Middle East war. Continue reading...

Oil-driven inflation is big challenge to world economy, lifting inflation and depressing growth, says bank’s chairBusiness live – latest updatesHSBC bosses have said the Iran war is already hitting global economic confidence, as a string of business leaders warned over the impact of the conflict.Georges Elhedery, the Lebanon-born chief executive of the bank, told Bloomberg Television at a HSBC conference in Hong Kong: “We’re saddened and concerned with what’s happening in the Middle East, and we’re concerned not just with what’s happening but also with how long this will take. Continue reading...

Consumer spending on travel is down for the first time in five years while card spending edges up in MarchUK consumers have cut back on travel spending for the first time in five years, as they worry about the rising cost of living amid the Iran war.Overall consumer card spending increased 0.9% year on year in March, down from February’s 1%, according to data from Barclays. Continue reading...

Company earnings expected to soar to between $200m and $700m in first quarterBusiness live – latest updatesShell is expected to report “significantly higher” profits from its commodity trading desks in the first quarter of this year after weeks of market volatility triggered by the Iran crisis.The surge in energy commodity markets over recent weeks is expected to drive up trading results at Shell’s chemicals and products unit, which includes its main oil trading desk. Continue reading...

Members reportedly agree rise of 206,000 barrels a day in May but move symbolic with strait of Hormuz effectively closedMiddle East crisis – live updatesIranian drones struck Kuwait’s oil infrastructure on Sunday, causing “severe material damage” that threatened to further disrupt oil supplies already hit by the US and Israel’s war with Tehran.It came hours before members of the Opec+ group that represents major global oil suppliers gathered to discuss how to bolster output despite Iran’s effective closure of the crucial strait of Hormuz shipping route. Continue reading...

War shows little sign of easing despite Donald Trump claiming Iranian leadership ‘just asked’ for ceasefireIsrael unleashed two waves of attacks on Tehran and said it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander on Wednesday with little sign of the war easing up despite Donald Trump repeating a claim that Iran’s leadership was seeking a ceasefire.The US president, writing on social media, said that Iran’s president had “just asked” for a ceasefire, and that American troops would be “out of Iran pretty quickly”, as he sought to extricate the US from the war. However, he confused the picture by incorrectly describing the president as a “new regime” leader. Continue reading...

Even if cargo route of strait of Hormuz reopens soon, Food and Drink Federation almost triples earlier forecastBusiness live – latest updatesFood inflation could hit 9% in the UK this year, even if the strait of Hormuz opens within the next few weeks, figures suggest, as the war in Iran pushes up energy prices.The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents 12,000 food and drink manufacturers, has predicted that prices will rise by “at least” 9% the end of 2026, almost tripling a forecast made before the conflict of 3.2%. Continue reading...

The attack came hours after Donald Trump threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s energy plants and oil wells unless it opened the strait of Hormuz. Plus, Israel to give death penalty to Palestinians convicted of lethal attacksGood morning.Iran attacked and set alight a fully loaded crude oil tanker anchored at Dubai port, causing damage to the vessel’s hull, in the latest strike on merchant vessels in the Gulf and the strait of Hormuz. The fire was extinguished within hours and no injuries were reported.What has Trump said about the war’s end? He has continued to give mixed messages, threatening to destroy Iran’s energy facilities unless it agrees to peace terms – while simultaneously claiming diplomatic progress in ending the war the US started together with Israel. Iran has accused the US of using diplomacy as a smokescreen to prepare for more attacks.Which countries are most vulnerable to economic shocks? The Philippines, which imports almost all of its crude oil from the Middle East, is particularly exposed to surging prices, which have triggered protests and widespread anger.Why now? The government of Iran, which the US has attacked, is a prolific and sophisticated disinformation actor, while Russian and Chinese influence operations continue to target US allies globally.How would the embassies do it? They have been told to use local influencers, academics and community leaders abroad to make US-funded narratives feel more organic. Continue reading...

Dubai officials said a fire on the Al Salmi tanker had been extinguished and all crew members were safe after drone strikeMiddle East crisis – live updatesHow could US forcibly reopen strait of Hormuz and what are the risks? Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker at Dubai port’s anchorage, with the strike damaging the vessel’s hull and raising concerns about a possible oil spill.Dubai authorities said the drone attack caused a fire on board that was extinguished early on Tuesday, hours after the attack was first reported. The attack came hours after Donald Trump warned that the US would obliterate Iran’s energy plants and oil wells if it does not open the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

Stock markets in Asia drop sharply, with investors nervous over escalation of Middle East conflictBusiness live – latest newsThe price of oil has risen sharply to $116 a barrel after Donald Trump said he wanted to “take the oil in Iran”, sending Asian stock markets tumbling.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose by 2% in early trading on Monday, after Trump said that he could seize the Iranian export hub of Kharg Island. Continue reading...

More assistance to businesses amid ballooning petrol prices expected to be discussed as prime minister and premiers meet. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, Krishani Dhanji with you here for the final sitting week of the month, and the final sitting week before the budget.The prime minister will convene the national cabinet again today, the second since the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. And this morning the government will introduce legislation to underwrite fuel supplies into Australia. Continue reading...