Economics 28 March 2026 - 24 April 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
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA to Raise Fares as Jet Fuel Shock Hits British Airways Owner
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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA to Raise Fares as Jet Fuel Shock Hits British Airways Owner

IAG will raise ticket prices to offset higher jet fuel costs but reports no supply interruptions. Shares in the British Airways owner fell 1.6% in late London trading. The move comes as airlines face rising fuel prices linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz blockage. IAG is 62% hedged on fuel for 2026 but says it is “not immune” to the wider market impact.
April 24, 2026
Southern Co-op’s 300-Branch Warning: Back Co-op Group Deal Or Face Administration
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Southern Co-op’s 300-Branch Warning: Back Co-op Group Deal Or Face Administration

Southern Co-op warned members it will likely enter administration if they reject a merger with Co-op Group at votes set for May 6 and 21. The co-op reported a £23.5 million operating loss for the year ended Jan. 25, 2026, and said it cannot secure enough funding to continue alone. The merger would fold over 300 Southern Co-op branches into Co-op Group’s network. About 4,500 jobs are at stake.
April 24, 2026
BHP Group Ltd Adds China’s COREX Index in Iron Ore Deal That Ends Months-Long Standoff
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BHP Group Ltd Adds China’s COREX Index in Iron Ore Deal That Ends Months-Long Standoff

BHP has agreed to use China’s COREX iron ore benchmark for Jimblebar fines contracts, ending a dispute with China Mineral Resources Group that had restricted some purchases. The contract runs through BHP’s 2027 financial year and includes a 1.8% rebate per vessel, sources said. BHP’s March-quarter Western Australia iron ore output beat estimates at 69.8 million tons. BHP shares rose up to 1.8% after the news.
April 23, 2026
HSBC Hires JPMorgan Bullion Veteran as Gold Volatility Fuels London Hiring Race
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HSBC Hires JPMorgan Bullion Veteran as Gold Volatility Fuels London Hiring Race

HSBC has hired JPMorgan executive James Willis to lead global precious metals sales, sources told Reuters, marking its second senior metals hire this month. The move comes as HSBC continues cost cuts and broader restructuring. London bullion trading remains active, with over 20 million ounces of gold cleared daily, according to the LBMA. HSBC shares fell 0.9% Thursday amid wider market declines.
April 23, 2026
NatWest Group Plc Q1 Earnings Preview: Profit Seen Steady as Bad-Loan Costs Rise
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NatWest Group Plc Q1 Earnings Preview: Profit Seen Steady as Bad-Loan Costs Rise

NatWest Group is expected to report first-quarter operating profit before tax of £1.94 billion and bad-loan charges of £283 million, more than double the previous quarter, according to analyst consensus. Shares closed down 1.53% at 592.2 pence on Wednesday. The bank’s Q1 results are due May 1. Analysts see no share buyback in the quarter after a £750 million buyback in Q4.
April 22, 2026
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Heads Into Tougher Summer as Fuel Squeeze Deepens
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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Heads Into Tougher Summer as Fuel Squeeze Deepens

IAG, owner of British Airways, faces rising fuel costs as U.S. crude for Europe hit a record $15 premium over Brent, driven by disrupted Middle East supplies. Jet fuel prices have outpaced crude, eroding IAG’s hedging protection ahead of the busy summer season. British Airways has extended flight suspensions to several Middle East destinations through May. IAG’s 2026 fuel bill has already climbed to €7.4 billion.
April 6, 2026
Australia Stock Market Returns After Easter Break as Oil Stays Above $100 and Rate Risks Build
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Australia Stock Market Returns After Easter Break as Oil Stays Above $100 and Rate Risks Build

Australia’s ASX reopens Tuesday after a four-day break, with oil still above $100 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz in focus. The S&P/ASX 200 last closed 1.06% lower at 8,579.50. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said fuel shipments are secured into May, but urged a quick Strait reopening. The Reserve Bank raised rates to 4.1% in March, with markets pricing a 60% chance of another hike in May.
April 6, 2026
National Australia Bank contacts 200,000 firms as fuel shock squeezes Australia’s supply chains
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National Australia Bank contacts 200,000 firms as fuel shock squeezes Australia’s supply chains

National Australia Bank has contacted nearly 200,000 business customers as volatile fuel prices hit agriculture, transport, and manufacturing. Diesel prices in Australia are up 88% since the Middle East conflict began, with fertiliser costs also surging. Canberra announced up to A$1 billion in interest-free loans for critical businesses. NAB reported a 100% jump in EV loans in March as firms seek to cut fuel exposure.
April 2, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation Warns RBA Could Hike Three More Times, Cash Rate Seen at 4.85%
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Westpac Banking Corporation Warns RBA Could Hike Three More Times, Cash Rate Seen at 4.85%

Westpac expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise the cash rate three more times this year, reaching 4.85% by August, citing inflation from Middle East fuel disruptions. The bank’s customers began paying higher mortgage rates from March 31 after Westpac passed on the RBA’s last increase. Peers NAB and ANZ forecast fewer hikes. Markets remain cautious, with traders pricing in a lower chance of further rises.
April 1, 2026
UK Mortgage Rates Jump, Homebuyers Retreat as Iran War Threatens House Price Rebound
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UK Mortgage Rates Jump, Homebuyers Retreat as Iran War Threatens House Price Rebound

UK house prices rose 0.9% in March, the biggest monthly gain since December 2024, according to Nationwide, lifting the average to £277,186. Mortgage rates jumped, with average two- and five-year fixes above 5.3%, and buyer enquiries in March fell 13% from a year earlier, Zoopla said. Regional price growth varied sharply, with Northern Ireland up 9.5% and East Anglia down.
April 1, 2026
Iran War Jet Fuel Crisis Hits Summer Travel as Europe-Asia Airfares Surge
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Iran War Jet Fuel Crisis Hits Summer Travel as Europe-Asia Airfares Surge

Airlines in Europe and Asia raised fares and cut capacity as jet fuel prices surged following the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. The Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index hit $4.62 a gallon, with Brent crude at $115.50. Korean Air will enter emergency mode in April, and Cathay Pacific imposed an $800 fuel surcharge on Sydney-London returns. Brussels urged governments to delay refinery maintenance to ease supply pressure.
March 31, 2026
Shell Plc warns Australia windfall LNG tax could hit investment as energy shock deepens
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Shell Plc warns Australia windfall LNG tax could hit investment as energy shock deepens

Shell warned Australia that a proposed windfall tax on LNG exporters would deter investment and threaten energy security, as surging prices boost industry profits. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Treasury to model the tax and possible changes to the PRRT. Shell and Chevron executives criticized the plan at a Sydney conference. Asia spot LNG prices have doubled since February, and Australia exported A$65 billion of LNG last year.
March 31, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation Warns of 3 More RBA Rate Hikes as Oil Shock Fuels Inflation
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Westpac Banking Corporation Warns of 3 More RBA Rate Hikes as Oil Shock Fuels Inflation

Westpac now expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise its cash rate three more times this year, peaking at 4.85%, the highest since 2008, citing war-driven fuel costs. The bank forecasts headline inflation at 5.4% in the June quarter despite a temporary fuel excise cut. Westpac shares fell 4.05% Monday as markets reacted. The bank also delayed any rate cut expectations to 2028.
March 30, 2026
Wall Street Rebounds, but Dow and Nasdaq Stay in Correction as Oil Shock Deepens
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Wall Street Rebounds, but Dow and Nasdaq Stay in Correction as Oil Shock Deepens

The Dow rose 324 points by midday Monday but remained in correction, with Brent crude near $113 as Middle East fighting widened and oil surged 60% in March. U.S. and European bond markets showed signs of stress, and Morgan Stanley cut its global equities outlook to neutral. President Trump warned Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also stayed well below recent highs.
March 30, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.03.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.03.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: March 30, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT Bounty Oil & Gas Proposes Multi-Step Recapitalisation Plan Including $4 Million Raise March 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT. Bounty Oil & Gas N.L. (ASX:BUY) announced a multi-step recapitalisation plan featuring convertible notes issuance and a $4 million placement. The plan aims to tackle working capital needs and reduce short-term liabilities by converting $200,000 of debt into equity, with a 30-for-1 consolidation of securities. Convertible notes worth AUD 39,000 and loan notes totaling AUD 260,000 form part of the restructuring. Shareholder approval is required at a
March 30, 2026
No More Pennies? Georgia and Washington Move on Penny Rounding as Rare Buffalo Nickel Error Surfaces
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No More Pennies? Georgia and Washington Move on Penny Rounding as Rare Buffalo Nickel Error Surfaces

Georgia’s Senate passed a bill March 25 to require rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel, following Washington, where a similar law takes effect June 11. The moves come after the last U.S. penny was struck in November 2025. About two dozen states have introduced rounding bills. A federal measure has cleared committee but awaits a House vote.
March 28, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC) Stock Shows Signs of Overvaluation After Mixed Performance
    May 23, 2026, 10:39 PM EDT. Westpac Banking Corporation's (ASX:WBC) recent stock performance has been mixed, with a 2.0% increase over the past week but declines of 6.6% over one month and 6.2% year-to-date. Despite strong long-term gains-21.3% over one year and over 80% in five years-valuation assessments suggest caution. An Excess Returns model estimates an intrinsic value of A$33.07 per share, approximately 10.5% below the current trading price near A$36.55, indicating potential overvaluation. The bank scored only 2 out of 6 on Simply Wall St's valuation checklist, raising questions about alignment between share price and fundamentals. Investors are urged to reassess risk and consider valuation methods beyond headline ratios amid ongoing sector scrutiny and sector-wide volatility in Australian banking shares.