Economics 24 April 2026 - 1 May 2026

Bogota Financial Shares Steady; Deposit Data Draws Attention
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Bogota Financial Shares Steady; Deposit Data Draws Attention

Bogota Financial Corp. shares rose to $8.40 on Wednesday with just 853 shares traded, after filings showed deposits fell 7.9% to $600.9 million and wholesale borrowings jumped 24.2% to $115.9 million. First-quarter net income dropped to $706,000, while net interest margin improved to 2.20%. Shareholders re-elected two directors and approved executive pay at the May 14 meeting.
May 20, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group Profit Beat Faces Test as Shares Slip and War Risks Cloud Outlook
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Lloyds Banking Group Profit Beat Faces Test as Shares Slip and War Risks Cloud Outlook

Lloyds shares fell 1.4% to 98.27p Friday despite a 33% jump in first-quarter profit to £2.025 billion and raised 2026 income targets. The bank booked a £151 million impairment charge tied to weaker UK growth and fallout from the Middle East conflict. Net interest income rose to £3.483 billion. NatWest also reported higher profit but took a £283 million charge, citing similar risks.
May 1, 2026
NatWest Group Shares Slide After £2 Billion Profit Beat Meets Iran War Charge
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NatWest Group Shares Slide After £2 Billion Profit Beat Meets Iran War Charge

NatWest shares fell 3.5% Friday after the bank reported a £140 million charge linked to the Iran war, despite a 12% rise in first-quarter pretax profit to £2.03 billion and higher income guidance. Investors focused on weaker-than-expected non-interest income and a cautious UK economic outlook. Customer loans rose to £400 billion, with deposits at £445 billion. The stock dropped from 585.2p at Thursday’s close to 564.6p by midday.
May 1, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group Profit Jumps 33% as Iran War Risk Clouds UK Bank Outlook
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Lloyds Banking Group Profit Jumps 33% as Iran War Risk Clouds UK Bank Outlook

Lloyds Banking Group posted a 33% jump in first-quarter pretax profit to £2.025 billion, beating forecasts and raising its 2026 net interest income outlook. The bank took a £151 million charge tied to the Middle East conflict and warned the Iran war could hit growth. Customer loans rose to £486.2 billion, while deposits slipped to £495.9 billion. Half-year results and a new strategy update are due in July.
April 30, 2026
Bank of England Rate Decision Today: Oil Shock Puts Three UK Rate Hikes Back on the Table
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Bank of England Rate Decision Today: Oil Shock Puts Three UK Rate Hikes Back on the Table

Traders are betting on three Bank of England rate hikes by December as Brent crude hits $126.41 a barrel, its highest since March 2022, amid Middle East tensions. The BoE is expected to hold rates at 3.75% today, but markets are watching the vote split and inflation warnings. Ten-year gilt yields closed at their highest since July 2008. Sterling rose 0.1% to $1.3488 ahead of the decision.
April 30, 2026
Oil Price Shock: Brent Tops $126 as Trump’s Iran Blockade Deepens Hormuz Crisis
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Oil Price Shock: Brent Tops $126 as Trump’s Iran Blockade Deepens Hormuz Crisis

Brent crude futures jumped to $126.41 a barrel Thursday, the highest since March 2022, after reports that President Trump was briefed on new military options against Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. U.S. benchmark WTI traded above $108. Ship traffic through Hormuz remains far below normal, with just six ships crossing in 24 hours compared to 125–140 before the conflict began.
April 30, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.04.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 30, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT ASX ETF Picks for Retirement Blend Stability with Growth Potential April 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT. Investors eyeing retirement on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) are increasingly considering Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that offer a balance between stability and growth. ETFs provide a way to diversify portfolios by investing in a basket of securities, potentially reducing risk compared to single stocks. This approach suits retirees or those nearing retirement who prioritize capital preservation alongside steady returns. While the content is educational and not a direct
April 30, 2026
Gold Price Drop Deepens as Fed Holds Rates and Iran War Fuels Inflation Fear
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Gold Price Drop Deepens as Fed Holds Rates and Iran War Fuels Inflation Fear

Gold fell 1% to $4,550.39 an ounce in New York Wednesday, touching a one-month low as rising oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields pressured bullion. The Federal Reserve kept rates steady at 3.5–3.75% and cited elevated inflation, partly from higher energy costs due to the Iran war. Brent crude surged over 7% to $119.34 a barrel. Silver dropped 1.8% to $71.75 an ounce, with platinum and palladium also lower.
April 29, 2026
Visa Stock Jumps After Earnings Beat as Consumer Spending Defies Slowdown Fears
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Visa Stock Jumps After Earnings Beat as Consumer Spending Defies Slowdown Fears

Visa raised its full-year revenue and earnings outlook after reporting second-quarter net income of $6.02 billion, up 32%, and adjusted earnings of $3.31 a share, beating estimates. Payments volume rose 9%, cross-border volume 12%, and processed transactions 9% to 66.1 billion. Shares jumped about 8% after the company announced a new $20 billion buyback. Net revenue climbed 17% to $11.23 billion.
April 29, 2026
Fed Meeting Today: Powell’s Final Act Puts Rate Cuts, Warsh and Fed Independence on the Line
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Fed Meeting Today: Powell’s Final Act Puts Rate Cuts, Warsh and Fed Independence on the Line

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday as Jerome Powell chairs what may be his final meeting. The Senate Banking Committee will vote the same day on Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Powell. Powell’s term as chair ends May 15, but he could stay on the Fed’s board until 2028. Brent crude rose to $114.29 a barrel, fueling inflation concerns.
April 29, 2026
Trump’s Tariff Plan B Targets Economies Behind 99% of U.S. Imports
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Trump’s Tariff Plan B Targets Economies Behind 99% of U.S. Imports

The Trump administration will open public hearings Tuesday on trade probes targeting forced labor and industrial overcapacity, following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked Trump’s emergency tariffs. The U.S. Trade Representative will examine 60 economies, including China and the EU, for forced-labor enforcement. A temporary 10% import surcharge expires July 24. Industry groups and foreign officials are set to testify.
April 28, 2026
Coles Group Price-Test Week: Fuel Costs, Supplier Demands Put Q3 Sales in Focus
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Coles Group Price-Test Week: Fuel Costs, Supplier Demands Put Q3 Sales in Focus

Coles raised home-brand milk prices last week, citing higher transport, logistics, and packaging costs, and increased payments to dairy farmers by about 5 cents a litre. The supermarket’s Q3 sales update is due May 1, as investors watch how Coles and rival Woolworths handle supplier price requests amid rising fuel and farm costs. Coles shares closed at A$23.06 on April 24, up 1%.
April 26, 2026
Australia Stock Market Week Ahead: One CPI Number Could Decide the ASX 200’s Next Move
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Australia Stock Market Week Ahead: One CPI Number Could Decide the ASX 200’s Next Move

The S&P/ASX 200 closed Friday at 8,786.5, down 1.8% for the week ahead of key March CPI data due Wednesday. Investors expect the inflation report to influence the Reserve Bank of Australia’s May policy decision, with markets pricing in a possible rate hike. Brent crude climbed 16% last week to $105.33 a barrel, adding pressure to the inflation outlook. The ASX will trade Monday despite the Anzac Day public holiday.
April 26, 2026
BHP’s China Deal Could Reset Iron Ore Pricing — Rio and Fortescue Are Watching
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BHP’s China Deal Could Reset Iron Ore Pricing — Rio and Fortescue Are Watching

BHP’s new iron ore contract with China’s state buyer now uses a Chinese portside price index for Jimblebar fines and includes a 1.8% vessel rebate on term deals. The agreement ends a months-long dispute and shifts iron ore futures, with traders weighing increased BHP shipments against Chinese steel demand. Analysts say the deal raises pressure on Rio Tinto, Vale, and Fortescue. The Dalian September iron ore contract rose 0.32% to 787.5 yuan.
April 26, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rally Breaks as Oil Shock and BoE Warning Hit London
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UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rally Breaks as Oil Shock and BoE Warning Hit London

The FTSE 100 fell 0.8% to 10,379.08 on Friday, ending a four-week winning streak as rising oil prices and Middle East tensions hit sentiment. Banks and drugmakers led losses, with AstraZeneca down 3.7% and Barclays off 0.9%. Retail sales rose 0.7% in March, but gains were driven by fuel buying. Mondi shares plunged 11.1% after warning of higher costs and announcing 450 job cuts in Europe.
April 25, 2026
BHP Group’s China Iron Ore Truce Comes With a Pricing Catch
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BHP Group’s China Iron Ore Truce Comes With a Pricing Catch

BHP Group has agreed to price its Jimblebar Fines iron ore using a Chinese index, settling a dispute with China Mineral Resources Group, according to sources cited by Energy News and Reuters. The deal includes a weighted average of four price indices and a 1.8% discount on some cargoes. BHP’s Western Australia Iron Ore unit produced 69.8 million tons in the March quarter, beating estimates. BHP declined to comment on the reported terms.
April 24, 2026
Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Slides Again as Oil Shock Hits Miners, Banks and Risk Appetite
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Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Slides Again as Oil Shock Hits Miners, Banks and Risk Appetite

The S&P/ASX 200 closed down 0.08% at 8,786.50 on Friday, capping a 1.8% weekly drop—its worst since mid-March. Miners and gold stocks fell, offsetting gains in energy and utilities. Fortescue dropped 5.7% after cutting Iron Bridge guidance and announcing a $680 million Pilbara investment. Brent crude traded above $105 a barrel, fueling investor caution amid Middle East tensions.
April 24, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • IXICO CEO Bram Goorden Outlines Growth Strategy Amid Strong Interim Results
    May 24, 2026, 2:02 PM EDT. IXICO PLC's CEO Bram Goorden discussed the company's interim results with Proactive, highlighting strong revenue growth. The firm, listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IXI) and trading on OTC and Frankfurt exchanges, underscored its plans to expand its market presence. Goorden detailed strategies aiming to leverage IXICO's data analytics expertise within the clinical trial sector, signaling confidence in sustained growth. The company's focus remains on capitalizing on its position in healthcare technology, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and shareholder value.