Economic Policy 30 March 2026 - 10 May 2026

Silver Rules Tighten in India After Volatile Trading on Gold-Duty Moves
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Silver Rules Tighten in India After Volatile Trading on Gold-Duty Moves

India restricted imports of silver bars and semi-manufactured silver effective immediately, requiring tighter approvals after a surge in imports and volatility in domestic prices. The move follows a tariff hike that raised duties on gold and silver to 15%. Silver imports hit a record $12 billion last year, with April imports up 157% from a year earlier. Retail silver prices in major cities ranged from 280,000 to 290,000 rupees per kilogram on Sunday.
May 17, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation’s New RBA Call Points to Two More Rate Hikes
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Westpac Banking Corporation’s New RBA Call Points to Two More Rate Hikes

Westpac now expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise rates in August and September, not June and August, citing persistent fuel-driven inflation. The shift follows Westpac’s A$3.41 billion first-half profit miss and higher bad-debt provisions. The RBA lifted its cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, warning that fuel costs are feeding into broader inflation. Other major banks remain split on the timing of further hikes.
May 10, 2026
Oil Prices Surge as Iran War Widens, Asian Stocks Slide and UK Weighs Emergency Measures
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Oil Prices Surge as Iran War Widens, Asian Stocks Slide and UK Weighs Emergency Measures

Brent crude headed for its biggest monthly rise since 1988 after Houthi attacks on Israel and Trump’s remarks on seizing Iranian oil rattled markets. German inflation rose to 2.8% in March, and UK petrol hit 152 pence a litre. Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.8%, while London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.6%. EU energy ministers plan emergency talks Tuesday as Shell warned of possible refined fuel shortages in April.
March 30, 2026