News 5 March 2026

Standard Chartered raises 2026 Brent forecast as Hormuz shock keeps oil above $80
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Standard Chartered raises 2026 Brent forecast as Hormuz shock keeps oil above $80

Standard Chartered raised its 2026 Brent crude forecast to $70 a barrel, citing risks from Middle East conflict and disrupted shipping. Brent traded at $83.84 early Thursday as trade through the Strait of Hormuz remained halted and Iraq cut output by 1.5 million barrels a day. War-risk insurance costs have surged five-fold. Goldman Sachs and UBS also lifted oil price forecasts, warning prices could top $100 if disruptions persist.
March 5, 2026
Glencore trims Century Aluminum stake below 30% in $327 million share sale
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Glencore trims Century Aluminum stake below 30% in $327 million share sale

Glencore cut its stake in Century Aluminum to 29.99% after selling 6.3 million shares at $51.75 each in a block trade, according to an SEC filing. Century warned it will restate several years of financials due to changes in Jamalco joint venture accounting. Glencore remains Century’s largest shareholder. The sale was valued at about $327 million.
March 5, 2026
BP caught in UK windfall tax limbo as Reeves flags Iran war price spike
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BP caught in UK windfall tax limbo as Reeves flags Iran war price spike

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said Wednesday that the Middle East conflict has made it harder to predict when Britain will end its windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas profits. BP faces renewed uncertainty as the tax remains in place while energy prices surge. Cornwall Insight forecasts the UK household energy price cap will rise about 10% in July, after gas prices jumped more than 70% in a week. BP shares fell 2.38% in London trading.
March 5, 2026
Rolls-Royce buyback rolls on: fresh share purchases and two retired U.S. generals join North America board
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Rolls-Royce buyback rolls on: fresh share purchases and two retired U.S. generals join North America board

Rolls-Royce bought 449,629 shares across four exchanges on March 4 under its £2.3 billion buyback, with prices ranging from 1,296 to 1,347.5 pence. CEO Tufan Erginbilgic and CFO Helen McCabe had shares vest and sold portions to cover tax. The company named retired U.S. Generals Laura Richardson and Duke Richardson to its North America board, effective January 2026.
March 5, 2026
ESA releases new JUICE photo of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as fresh data reaches Earth
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ESA releases new JUICE photo of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as fresh data reaches Earth

The European Space Agency released a new image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by the JUICE spacecraft’s JANUS camera from 66 million km away on Nov. 6, 2025. Scientists received most data from the observing run in late February and plan a joint review in late March. 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is only the third known interstellar object to pass through the solar system.
March 5, 2026
Whitehaven Coal buyback update: 65,440 shares snapped up as dividend date nears
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Whitehaven Coal buyback update: 65,440 shares snapped up as dividend date nears

Whitehaven Coal bought back 65,440 shares for A$534,770 on March 3, bringing total repurchases since Feb. 20 to 698,009 shares worth about A$5.5 million. The on-market buyback, managed by UBS Securities Australia, is capped at A$32 million and runs through June 30. Whitehaven’s interim dividend goes ex-dividend Feb. 26 and pays March 13. The company reported first-half EBITDA of A$446 million and net debt of A$710 million.
March 5, 2026
Mineral Resources Limited’s CSI unit hits record 166Mt output, lifts mining services EBITDA to $488m
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Mineral Resources Limited’s CSI unit hits record 166Mt output, lifts mining services EBITDA to $488m

Mineral Resources Ltd’s mining services division produced a record 166 million tonnes in H1 FY26, with EBITDA up 29% to $488 million. Subsidiary CSI Mining Services operated 28 crushing plants with annual installed capacity of 167 million tonnes. MinRes shares last traded at $55.85, up 0.25%. The company cited external contracts and the Onslow Iron ramp-up as key drivers.
March 5, 2026
DroneShield unlocks 1.3 million new shares as staff options vest — and selling may follow
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DroneShield unlocks 1.3 million new shares as staff options vest — and selling may follow

DroneShield Limited has applied to list 1,335,000 new shares on the ASX after performance options were exercised, with no sale restrictions, according to a filing. The company expects some employees will sell. Shares rose 8.48% to A$3.64 in afternoon trade. The new stock adds to a steady flow of option conversions that investors monitor for dilution and insider selling.
March 5, 2026
Shareholders hit QBE Insurance Group Limited with fresh climate demands ahead of 2026 AGM
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Shareholders hit QBE Insurance Group Limited with fresh climate demands ahead of 2026 AGM

QBE Insurance Group said shareholders have requisitioned three resolutions for its May 8 AGM, seeking more climate risk disclosure and a review of oil and gas underwriting governance. QBE also reported buying back 1.26 million shares for A$26.9 million on March 4. CEO Andrew Horton sold 133,031 shares to meet tax obligations. QBE posted a 2025 net profit after tax of US$2.16 billion and a final dividend of 78 Australian cents.
March 5, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • ASX Set to Rise as U.S. Inflation Hits Three-Year High Amid Iran Deal Optimism
    May 28, 2026, 2:42 PM EDT. The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is expected to rise following U.S. inflation data showing the fastest increase in three years. Investors are also eyeing signs of a potential U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route. Citadel Securities strategist Frank Flight cited Iran's restored internet connectivity and reduced military tensions as key indicators of a likely peace deal. This anticipated reopening could trigger a relief rally across financial markets globally, prompting cautious optimism among investors.