Plunge

Shares in Domino’s Pizza, KFC operator Collins Foods and multi-brand food franchise owner Retail Food Group have all suffered double-digit fallsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOnce a symbol of cheap eating, fast food is transforming into a luxury many can no longer afford due to resurgent living costs.This shift is reflected on the ASX, where major pizza, fried chicken and doughnut outlets are seeing significant price drops, raising the question: are consumers so downbeat that they are even giving up on fast food? Continue reading...

The trend has been accelerated by the US-Israel war on Iran, leaving households – and cafe owners – glum, surveys suggestFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFor many coffee drinkers, takeaway orders are changing from a habitual purchase to an occasional treat, as elevated petrol prices and other living costs leave households feeling glum.This rapid shift in behaviour has disappointed cafe owners and surprised economists, raising an uneasy question: if takeaway coffee sales are falling, is the economy next? Continue reading...

‘Development in reverse’ taking place involving rising energy and food costs and weaker economic growthMore than 32 million people worldwide could be plunged into poverty by the economic fallout from the Iran war, with developing countries expected to be hit hardest.In a report issued amid doubts over a fragile ceasefire, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the world was facing a “triple shock” involving energy, food and weaker economic growth. Continue reading...

Marine Conservation Society warns that fish numbers have reached dangerous point of declineConsumers should “completely avoid” buying UK-caught cod, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has said, as it warned that populations have reached a dangerous point of decline despite zero-catch recommendations.The MCS, an environmental charity, publishes a Good Fish Guide to help consumers and businesses make sustainable seafood choices. Continue reading...

Brent crude oil dropped to $93 a barrel after Trump ceasefire announcement and Iran’s pledge to reopen strait of Hormuz under its managementMiddle East crisis – live updatesFull report: US and Iran agree to provisional ceasefire with Tehran saying it will reopen strait of HormuzOil prices plunged by almost 15% after Donald Trump held off on his threat to bomb Iran into the stone ages on Tuesday night, and Iran’s foreign minister said passage through the strait of Hormuz would be allowed for the next two weeks under the management of its military.With just over an hour until his deadline was due to pass, the US president said he was holding off on threatened attacks on Iran, subject to Tehran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire and reopening of the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

• Nike's stock tumbled 13.1% after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly profits but issued weak financial forecasts. • Investors reacted negatively to cautious guidance amid softening consumer demand and competitive pressures in apparel. • The drop underscores broader concerns in consumer discretionary stocks, impacting sector sentiment on Wall Street.

• Sysco shares plunged 12% following the announcement of a $29 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, including debt, in a major foodservice industry deal. • The deal aims to expand Sysco's market reach but sparked investor concerns over the high cost and integration risks amid volatile markets. • This merger highlights consolidation trends in the restaurant supply sector, potentially impacting competitors and pricing dynamics.

• Every Magnificent 7 stock has fallen into double-digit losses from 52-week highs, with Microsoft down roughly 32% from its October peak, marking its worst start to a year in history, as the group enters correction territory. • Oil prices surged following Operation Epic Fury beginning February 28, reigniting inflation expectations and shifting rate outlook; markets now price in greater likelihood of rate hikes by year-end rather than cuts. • Excitement around AI infrastructure spending has waned amid concerns over combined capital expenditures for Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta expected to exceed $650 billion in 2026, up 60% from 2025.

Stocks slump in Asia and Europe, gold slides and investors brace for higher oil prices after US president’s threatBusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesGlobal stock markets dropped sharply on Monday after Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless the strait of Hormuz is opened.Stock markets in Asia and Europe slumped at the start of the week. Japan’s Nikkei share index dropping by 3.4%, China’s CSI 300 down 2.8%, and the South Korean Kospi fell 6.5%. Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. "obliteration" of key energy infrastructure, escalating the ongoing conflict into its fourth consecutive week. • U.S. stock index futures fell sharply Sunday evening: S&P 500 futures declined 0.3% to 6,542.25 points, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4% to 24,008.0 points, and Dow Jones futures dropped 0.16% to 45,821.0 points, reflecting market anxiety over potential military escalation. • Major indexes have posted cumulative losses of 4-7% over the past 30 days as concerns mount over the long-term economic impact of prolonged conflict, compounded by stronger-than-expected inflation data reducing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

• The FTSE 100 fell 1.44% on Friday to close at 9,918, down approximately 9% since the Iran conflict began and at its lowest level since December 2025, reflecting broad market weakness across UK equities. • The FTSE 250 mid-cap index declined 1.01% on the day and has dropped 11.3% since the start of the conflict, hitting its lowest level since November 2025, indicating selling pressure across market capitalizations. • Oil prices climbed despite geopolitical uncertainty, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rising 2.8% to $98.50, though the Brent-WTI spread has widened sharply, signaling market stress and supply concerns.

• Super Micro Computer shares plunged 28.2% on Friday after US authorities accused a senior executive and two affiliates of conspiring to smuggle advanced Nvidia-based servers to China. • The alleged scheme targeted the export of high-performance computing equipment to China, triggering immediate sharp market reaction and significant shareholder losses. • The charges represent a significant escalation in enforcement actions against technology companies and executives involved in alleged unauthorized export of advanced semiconductor technology.

American Airlines shares dropped 31% year-to-date, United Airlines 23%, and Delta Air Lines 16% amid skyrocketing fuel prices from Iran tensions. Cruise operators Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line faced similar pressures from higher energy costs. This contrasts with defense stocks like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman rallying on expanded orders. Investors anticipate prolonged impacts on travel sectors unless conflict resolves swiftly.

Ulta Beauty stock tumbled 12.5% on Friday, March 13, 2026, becoming the biggest decliner in the S&P 500 after reporting quarterly results that fell short of Wall Street profit expectations. The company's profit was hit by a 23% surge in selling, general, and administrative expenses, which reached $1 billion in the period. This decline highlights vulnerabilities in consumer discretionary sectors amid broader market pressures from oil price volatility, with analysts watching for potential impacts on retail spending. Upcoming earnings from peers may signal if this is an isolated miss or indicative of wider consumer weakness.

Biotech firm Immutep Ltd. crashed more than 80% on March 13, 2026, becoming one of the biggest decliners amid a mixed US market session pressured by geopolitical fears. The plunge contrasted with gains in AI leaders like Intel (+1.7%), Tesla (steady at $395), and Nokia (+1.4%), highlighting sector rotation. This extreme volatility amplifies risks in biotech amid elevated VIX at 26.49 and weekly index losses. Investors may monitor clinical trial updates or funding news for rebound potential.