F1 owner Liberty Media can ride out Mideast conflict | Reuters Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 30, 2025 Alpine's Pierre Gasly in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - The Middle East conflicthas cut Formula One's race calendar and battered the shar ...

Silver dropped as low as 10% toward $65 per ounce, marking its lowest level since mid-December, according to data from Trading Economics.Central Banks Turn HawkishThe Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England held rates steady this week. However, they adopted aggressive tones regarding inflation risks.U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted a hike remains possible, though unlikely for now. This hawkish stance weighed heavily on non-yielding assets like gold and silver.Geopolitical Volatility and ...

Key TakeawaysIran is pushing for a "new framework" for the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that safe passage must reflect regional interests rather than international maritime norms, effectively challenging Western access to the chokepoint.Saudi Arabian air defenses intercepted a second drone targeting the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, signaling a persistent and escalating threat to foreign embassies and regional stability.Global energy markets remain under extreme pressure, with Brent crude prices fluctuating ...

Geopolitical Developments - The military confrontation between Israel and Iran has escalated, with the Israeli Defense Forces destroying key Iranian military infrastructure, including the Iranian Space Agency's main research center and an air defense production factory [2][8] - The U.S. Central Command conducted strikes on Kharg Island, targeting naval mine storage and rocket depots while avoiding damage to Iranian oil infrastructure to prevent a global energy shock [3][8] - Ukraine has successfully targeted Russian energy hubs, including the Afipsky oil refinery and Port Kavkaz, impacting Russia's military supply chain and logistics [5][6][8] Corporate Sector Developments - Thames Water is in discussions for a £3.35 billion equity injection from lenders to stabilize its operations amid a £15 billion debt crisis, pending regulatory approval and negotiations on future spending and dividend policies [4][8] - Major utilities in Germany, such as RWE AG and E.ON SE, are expected to play significant roles in the country's accelerated transition to renewable energy as part of a strategy to enhance energy security [7][8] Energy Market Insights - Global oil markets are experiencing volatility, with Brent crude prices nearing $100 per barrel, while Iran claims that oil exports from Kharg Island are continuing normally despite U.S. military actions nearby [8] - NATO has increased its naval presence in the North Atlantic to counter Russian submarine activity, reflecting heightened security measures in response to geopolitical tensions [9]

Energy Sector - Global energy security is threatened by attacks on two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel oil, leading to the evacuation of 25 crew members and raising concerns about coordinated strikes on energy infrastructure [2][8] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced a historic release of 400 million barrels of oil to stabilize prices, a move supported by a significant policy shift from President Trump to address supply shocks [3][8] Banking Sector - The Federal Reserve has approved major mergers in the regional banking sector, allowing Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) to acquire American National Corporation and FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) to merge with First Foundation Inc. (FFWM), which is expected to strengthen their capital positions amid a volatile interest rate environment [4][8] Consumer Goods Sector - Unilever (UL) is facing scrutiny from shareholders as it plans to propose a salary increase for its CEO in the upcoming annual report, despite previous investor frustrations regarding executive compensation [5][8] Diplomatic Relations - High-level diplomatic talks between U.S. and Russian delegations in Florida have concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain contact regarding the conflict in Ukraine, marking a rare moment of direct engagement amidst regional instability [6][8] Economic Indicators - Economic data from the Pacific region indicates a cooling trend, with New Zealand's Manufacturing Volume for Q4 falling by 0.5%, suggesting weakening demand despite slightly positive manufacturing activity on a seasonally adjusted basis [7]

ACG Metals Ltd (LSE:ACG, OTC:ACGAF) Chairman and CEO Artem Volynets talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about progress at the company’s Gediktepe project in Turkey, alongside Vice President of Projects Graeme Rapley. The discussion focused on construction progress, the impact of geopolitical volatility on operations, and the company’s production outlook as it advances the Sulphide Expansion. Volynets explained that despite heightened geopolitical concerns in global markets, operations at Gediktepe have ...

Core Viewpoint - DHL forecasts a higher operating profit for 2026, expecting earnings before interest and taxes to exceed 6.2 billion euros ($7.2 billion), despite a worsening geopolitical environment [1][2][3] Financial Performance - DHL reported a 1.3% decline in its fourth-quarter operating profit to 1.83 billion euros, primarily impacted by a 36% slump in its freight forwarding business [5] - The company anticipates free cash flow, excluding acquisitions, to be around 3 billion euros [2] Geopolitical Impact - The geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with significant disruptions in logistics and shipping due to conflicts, particularly in the Middle East [3][4] - The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced major carriers to divert vessels, increasing transit times and costs [4] Market Conditions - The logistics and shipping sector is experiencing declining freight rates in air and ocean freight, alongside weak economic conditions in Europe, especially Germany [6]

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets experienced significant volatility on March 3, 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, leading to a morning sell-off followed by an afternoon recovery [1] - Major indexes closed lower but recovered from session lows, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 403.51 points (0.8%) at 48,501.27, the S&P 500 down 64.99 points (0.9%) at 6,816.63, and the Nasdaq Composite down 232.17 points (1%) at 22,516.69 [2] Geopolitical Impact - The volatility was primarily triggered by a U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, which raised concerns about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of the world's oil [3] - Markets stabilized after President Trump announced U.S. support for escorting oil tankers and ensuring maritime trade safety, leading to a decrease in the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) from a high of 28 to near 23 [3] Earnings Highlights - The retail sector showed resilience, with Target (TGT) shares rising 6.7% after reporting a quarterly profit that exceeded expectations, indicating strong consumer spending despite inflation [4] - Best Buy (BBY) shares increased by 6% following a mixed quarterly report that highlighted improving margins [4] Technology Sector Developments - Investors are closely monitoring MongoDB (MDB) for its growth outlook amid a risk-off environment, while CrowdStrike (CRWD) is expected to report quarterly results, with a focus on AI-driven demand and the geopolitical impact on enterprise security spending [5] Sector Performance - Energy and defense stocks benefited from the day's uncertainty, with Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) tracking a nearly 7% increase in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices, which settled above $76 per barrel [6] - Northrop Grumman (NOC) remained strong as investors anticipated increased military spending [6] Technology Sector Challenges - Mega-cap tech stocks faced challenges as Treasury yields rose due to inflation concerns, with Nvidia (NVDA) down 1.3% and Apple (AAPL) down 0.5% despite new product announcements [7] - Tesla (TSLA) declined 2.6% as high-growth stocks were sold off in favor of more defensive positions [7] Upcoming Economic Indicators - The economic calendar includes the ADP Employment Report and ISM Services PMI, which will provide insights into the U.S. economy's health, with the February nonfarm payrolls report being a key focus for potential market volatility [8] - Earnings reports from Broadcom (AVGO) and Costco (COST) later in the week will offer further insights into the AI infrastructure boom and consumer health [8]

Group 1: Nigeria's Security Situation - A recent armed attack in Zamfara State, Nigeria, resulted in at least 38 fatalities, highlighting the deteriorating security conditions in the region [2][10] - The ongoing crisis involves both Islamic militants and criminal gangs, which are engaged in cattle rustling and mass kidnappings, affecting the stability of the iShares MSCI Nigeria ETF (NGE) [3][10] - The Nigerian military has received assistance from 100 U.S. troops to train local forces against insurgent groups, but challenges remain due to porous borders and the emergence of new militant factions [4][10] Group 2: Middle East Diplomatic Tensions - The Arab League condemned statements from the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, labeling them as "extremely extremist" and a threat to regional peace, amidst rising diplomatic tensions [5][10] - This condemnation follows international criticism of Israel's actions towards the de facto annexation of the West Bank, with the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling the remarks "absurd and provocative" [6][10] - The UN Secretary-General has urged for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation, as the U.S. and Iran exchange military warnings, impacting energy security and market participants' assessments [7][10]

I think if anything, it's made the current environment with geopolitical volatility. Macroeconomic volatility has made us more committed to global diversification. And, you know, we've been investing globally for over 25 years and we've, you know, businesses in Europe, India, China, Southeast Asia and Latin America.We've got investment teams on the ground and it's been about 50% of our investing activity has been outside the U.S. really for the last 15, 20 years. And so that ratio, it hasn't changed at all. ...