News 30 March 2026 - 31 March 2026

Etihad Orders 10 Boeing Jets, Raising Talk of Hard-to-Get 787 Slots

Stock Market Today: Live Updates 15.07.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: July 15, 2026, 4:00 AM EDTUpdated: July 15, 2026, 10:57 PM EDT Sydney $3B Data Centre Project Gets Site Secured July 15, 2026, 10:50 PM EDT. Developers have locked in land for a $3 billion data centre in Sydney, moving the project forward. Securing the site is a key milestone for the build as interest ramps up in data storage and infrastructure in Australia. The project is seen as a sign of strong demand from the digital and cloud sectors. Site of $3bn data centre confirmed BHP Hits Record Pilbara Output as Workers Set for Major Port
July 15, 2026
Glencore Horne Smelter Rescue Takes Shape as Quebec Moves on Emissions Delay, Ottawa Weighs Aid
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Glencore Horne Smelter Rescue Takes Shape as Quebec Moves on Emissions Delay, Ottawa Weighs Aid

Quebec looks set to extend Glencore’s deadline for cutting arsenic emissions at its Horne smelter, Canadian Mining Journal said Tuesday, citing a proposed provincial bill that would delay tougher caps until 2029. On Monday, Bloomberg reported Ottawa is considering roughly C$150 million in aid for new pollution-control tech. Why does it matter? Horne stands as the only copper smelter in Canada, handling roughly 16% of North America’s smelting capacity each year, Bloomberg notes. Glencore has warned that shutting down the Rouyn-Noranda operation would put its Montreal refinery in jeopardy too—potentially affecting around 3,200 jobs, both direct and indirect.
March 31, 2026
Barclays PLC Faces Fresh Test After UK Car Finance Bill Lands at £9.1 Billion
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Barclays PLC Faces Fresh Test After UK Car Finance Bill Lands at £9.1 Billion

Barclays PLC is back in the spotlight, with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority setting the definitive industry bill for car-finance compensation at roughly 9.1 billion pounds—less than the 11 billion pounds floated in last year’s proposal. That outcome means Barclays, which is among the lenders embroiled in the mess, must now see if its existing reserves will actually cover the fallout. The timing here matters as Barclays has recently been touting bigger payouts—over 15 billion pounds to shareholders by 2028—while talking up bolder U.S. ambitions and improved returns. Setting aside more for soured car loans would cut across that upbeat narrative.
March 31, 2026
Unilever PLC says McCormick food deal could be signed today in $60 billion shake-up (Reuters)

Unilever PLC says McCormick food deal could be signed today in $60 billion shake-up (Reuters)

Unilever on Tuesday confirmed it's deep in negotiations to merge the bulk of its Foods division with McCormick, eyeing a potential combination valued north of $60 billion. The London-based group noted that discussions are ongoing, with a deal possibly materializing later on Tuesday, but warned the talks might yet collapse. That stands out as the strongest indication so far that chief executive Fernando Fernandez intends to move forward with his most significant portfolio shift since stepping in back in March 2025. If a deal goes through, Unilever would be pulling further away from its slower-growing packaged food segment and doubling down on beauty, personal care, and home products—precisely the categories it’s been targeting for faster growth.
March 31, 2026
BP PLC Loses EV Charging Chief Ahead of Meg O’Neill Takeover as Oil Pivot Deepens
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BP PLC Loses EV Charging Chief Ahead of Meg O’Neill Takeover as Oil Pivot Deepens

BP’s global EV charging head is out, according to the Financial Times, with Rolls-Royce listing Martin Thomsen as a new arrival in March. The timing is notable: Meg O’Neill steps in as BP chief executive this week. BP’s exit is notable, coming as the company dials back its low-carbon bets—scaling down renewables and EV charging to funnel more capital toward oil and gas, eyeing higher and quicker returns. The move is playing out as Brent crude hovered just below $115 a barrel on Tuesday, set for a record monthly surge after supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
March 31, 2026
BlackRock Weighs HSBC’s Canary Wharf Tower for London HQ as 2027 Exit Nears
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BlackRock Weighs HSBC’s Canary Wharf Tower for London HQ as 2027 Exit Nears

BlackRock is considering taking over HSBC Holdings Plc's Canary Wharf tower for its next London headquarters, according to a Tuesday story in the Financial Times. The asset manager wouldn’t comment, and Reuters said it couldn’t confirm the report on its own. HSBC’s move to leave 8 Canada Square would put one of the city’s largest post-pandemic office vacancies on the market. This comes during a squeeze in high-end office supply, with rents climbing and companies pushing employees to return to their desks.
March 31, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 31.03.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 31.03.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: March 31, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 31, 2026, 11:56 PM EDT Cassius Mining (ASX:CMD) Updates on Gold Projects and Operational Activity March 31, 2026, 11:56 PM EDT. Cassius Mining (ASX:CMD) is advancing its gold projects with focused operational activity. The company continues exploration and development efforts aimed at expanding its resource base. Recent updates highlight progress in key areas, reflecting Cassius's commitment to enhancing shareholder value. Market participants watch closely as CMD executes its strategic initiatives in the gold sector. Investors are advised to consider professional guidance when evaluating such opportunities. Cassius Mining, gold projects, ASX,
March 31, 2026
Santos Limited Fast-Tracks Crude to Refineries as Australia Fuel Crunch Deepens

Santos Limited Fast-Tracks Crude to Refineries as Australia Fuel Crunch Deepens

Santos Ltd has accelerated crude deliveries to Australian refiners, advancing a portion of a Cooper Basin cargo for Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery and offloading Varanus Island crude to Ampol. The shift comes as Australia grapples with a fuel crunch linked to Middle East turmoil. Canberra is responding with emergency steps aimed at maintaining supply. Here’s why it’s urgent: Australia brings in roughly 90% of its fuel from overseas, is stuck at level two of its national fuel-security plan, and, as of last week, had just 30 days’ supply of diesel and jet fuel, with 39 days’ worth of petrol. The government responded by slashing fuel excise and stepping up to support spot—or prompt—cargo buys.
March 31, 2026
National Australia Bank Says Cost-of-Living Stress Hits 12-Year High as Australians Switch and Spend Less
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National Australia Bank Says Cost-of-Living Stress Hits 12-Year High as Australians Switch and Spend Less

National Australia Bank flagged on Monday that Australian households are facing their highest cost-of-living stress in more than ten years. Its Consumer Stress Index—a measure tracking pressures related to jobs, health, retirement, expenses, and policy—hit 59.1 for the March quarter. The cost-of-living element surged to 71.8, a level not seen since 2014, as households cut back, hunted for cheaper deals, and delayed major purchases. The reading comes just as borrowers are digesting the Reserve Bank of Australia’s March 17 move to bump the cash rate up 25 basis points to 4.10%. Following suit, NAB has raised variable home-loan rates by the same margin as of March 27. The timing is crucial for banks, with bigger repayments now meeting a notable
March 31, 2026
Macquarie Group Ltd’s $200 Oil Warning Returns as Crude Tops $100
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Macquarie Group Ltd’s $200 Oil Warning Returns as Crude Tops $100

Macquarie Group Ltd’s call that oil might reach $200 a barrel came under the spotlight Tuesday, as U.S. crude closed above $100 for the first time since 2022 and Brent approached a record monthly surge with the Iran conflict escalating. What was once seen as an outlier prediction suddenly landed in the market’s mainstream chatter. Oil’s recent spike is stoking fresh inflation jitters and pushing worries about economic fallout, all while dealmakers are staring down heightened war risk in the Gulf. Already, Macquarie pulled out of the race for a Kuwait oil pipeline stake—a sign the conflict is hitting deals, not just pricing.
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 Banking Corp has lifted its outlook for Australia’s key interest rate, now predicting the Reserve Bank will deliver three more hikes this year, kicking off in May, as surging fuel prices tied to the war ripple through the broader economy. The revised peak forecast stands at 4.85%, a level not seen since late 2008. Only two weeks after the RBA bumped the cash rate to 4.10% on a narrow 5-4 vote, the change is hitting. Canberra, meanwhile, is trimming fuel excise for three months to help shield households from surging petrol and diesel costs.
March 30, 2026
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Says EV Loan Demand Soars 161% as Fuel Crunch Drives Buyers Electric
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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Says EV Loan Demand Soars 161% as Fuel Crunch Drives Buyers Electric

Commonwealth Bank of Australia flagged a sharp 161.5% jump in battery electric vehicle loan demand for March, compared to February’s weekly average. Higher fuel prices and jitters over supply seem to be nudging Australians toward EVs. The lender’s car-buying portal inquiries leapt 136% in March, with EV loan page visits up 75%. Applications from businesses for Tesla vehicles soared—up 268% from a year ago. “The surge in interest we’ve seen in March is very significant,” said Tim Burdon, CommBank’s product owner for car buying and lending. Canberra’s decision on Monday to slash the fuel excise in half for three months comes right after Brent crude posted its steepest monthly jump ever. Diesel prices in Australia have pushed past A$3 a
March 30, 2026
Northern Star Resources CEO Converts A$7 Million in Rights Into Shares Ahead of April Quarterly
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Northern Star Resources CEO Converts A$7 Million in Rights Into Shares Ahead of April Quarterly

Northern Star Resources Ltd disclosed late Monday that CEO Stuart Tonkin exercised 380,837 vested performance rights, turning them into ordinary shares. The move, as outlined in regulatory notices, was valued at roughly A$7 million. The timing is crucial here: Australian gold miner Northern Star is still in damage control mode after its March 13 warning about the challenges of reaching even the lower end of its fiscal 2026 production target. The company has promised more specifics in its March-quarter update, set for April 22.
March 30, 2026
Woodside Keeps Browse CCS Alive With Plan to Refile Under New Australia Law
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Woodside Keeps Browse CCS Alive With Plan to Refile Under New Australia Law

Woodside Energy plans to resubmit its Browse carbon capture and storage proposal after pulling its initial application from Australia’s federal approval process. The company pointed to updated environmental laws that open the door for a fresh referral, keeping this pillar of its larger Browse gas project in play. Woodside baked in a CCS solution for Browse from the outset, aiming to capture reservoir CO2 that would otherwise vent to atmosphere. The development also hooks into the North West Shelf LNG network, which only got the federal environmental go-ahead through 2070 last year.
March 30, 2026
BHP Group Shares Lag Rio and Vale as Pilbara Recovery Turns Focus to April Review
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BHP Group Shares Lag Rio and Vale as Pilbara Recovery Turns Focus to April Review

BHP Group’s U.S.-listed shares slipped 0.7% Monday afternoon, trailing Rio Tinto—which jumped 2.5%—and Vale, up 0.3%. BHP was last seen at $69.03. Rio traded at $88.79, with Vale at $15.08. Investors still peg BHP to iron ore, despite the company's ongoing efforts to spotlight copper expansion. ASX records indicate BHP hasn't posted any fresh market filings over the past week, so the operational review scheduled for April 22—covering output for the nine months through March 31—remains the next notable event on the calendar.
March 30, 2026
Exxon’s Haimara Project Sharpens Focus on Guyana’s $2 Billion Berbice Gas Pipeline as Power Demand Climbs
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Exxon’s Haimara Project Sharpens Focus on Guyana’s $2 Billion Berbice Gas Pipeline as Power Demand Climbs

Georgetown, March 30, 2026, 16:09 ExxonMobil has pegged the Haimara gas field as the centerpiece for its ninth offshore project in Guyana. At the same time, a fresh utility forecast projects power demand could reach 1,575 megawatts by 2030, adding momentum to a proposed second gas pipeline to Berbice—a project the company estimates could top $2 billion.
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

Stocks bounced Monday, with the Dow adding 324 points by 11:31 a.m. ET and the S&P 500 up 0.31%. The Nasdaq, barely positive at 0.05% higher, and the Dow both remained in correction territory—a 10% drop from recent highs—under pressure as investors tracked oil above $100 and focused on the escalating Middle East conflict around Iran. Brent crude hovered at $112.94 a barrel. The bounce didn’t fix the underlying issue. Brent crude has surged nearly 60% in March—the sharpest monthly gain ever logged—while government bond prices worldwide are staring at the steepest monthly drop seen in years. Markets have also abandoned previous expectations for Fed rate cuts this year.
March 30, 2026
Haleon shares rise after 8.9 million-share buyback ahead of April update
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Haleon shares rise after 8.9 million-share buyback ahead of April update

Haleon reported Monday it’s snapped up 8.94 million shares for cancellation, marking progress on the £500 million buyback drive the consumer health group kicked off earlier this month. Shares gained 2.53%, trading at 376.2 pence in London’s delayed session. Haleon is turning to buybacks as it works to rebound from a weaker-than-expected start to 2026. Back in February, the Sensodyne maker projected organic revenue growth of 3% to 5% for 2026—shy of its medium-term target range of 4% to 6%. “We feel confident the U.S. will grow this year,” CEO Brian McNamara told Reuters at the time. Investors will get their next update on April 29, when Haleon releases its trading statement.
March 30, 2026
Vodafone Shares Rise After Latest Buyback Filing as Germany Recovery Stays in Focus
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Vodafone Shares Rise After Latest Buyback Filing as Germany Recovery Stays in Focus

Vodafone Group Plc picked up 2.7 million of its own shares on March 27, paying an average price of 110.93 pence apiece. The stock finished the day up 2.1% in London. Monday’s disclosure is part of Vodafone’s ongoing 500 million euro buyback. The purchased shares head to treasury — meaning the company keeps them off the market. The filing itself is minor. Still, it comes as Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle pushes capital returns—Vodafone is targeting a 2.5% increase in the FY26 dividend—while she tries to convince investors the turnaround is sticking in Germany and the UK. Guidance remains at the upper end for full-year profit and cash flow. FY26 results are out May 12.
March 30, 2026
3i Group CEO Buys £9 Million of Stock After Action Slowdown Triggers Selloff
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3i Group CEO Buys £9 Million of Stock After Action Slowdown Triggers Selloff

Simon Borrows, chief executive of 3i Group, snapped up almost £9 million worth of shares following last week’s sharp decline in the FTSE 100 investment company. According to a regulatory filing released Monday, Borrows and family trusts tied to him acquired 350,147 shares at £25.55 apiece on March 26. This shift carries weight since 3i’s stock tracks closely with Action, the Dutch discount retailer that dominates its portfolio. Shares slumped 17.66% on Thursday, triggered by Action’s latest figures: like-for-like sales up just 4.0% for the first 12 weeks of 2026. Full-year guidance? No change.
March 30, 2026
Informa Plc accelerates share buyback, cancels 1.9 million shares as stock stays off highs
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Informa Plc accelerates share buyback, cancels 1.9 million shares as stock stays off highs

Informa Plc repurchased 1.897 million shares for cancellation last week, according to a Monday filing, continuing with its 2026 return programme. The London-listed events and academic publishing firm paid an average price of 756.55 pence per share, volume-weighted. Once the transaction settles, the company’s outstanding shares will drop to 1.274 billion. The filing reveals the company continues to buy aggressively, following its March 12 announcement to boost this year’s commitment to £250 million from £200 million. Chief Executive Stephen Carter pointed to robust cash generation and lower equity values as reasons for the increase.
March 30, 2026
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