Spring Statement Live: UK growth cut for 2026 but Reeves touts future forecasts March 3, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement today, as the Office for Budget Responsibility published its updated forecasts for the years ahead. The Chancellor was handed quite a hefty blow with the UK’s growth estimate for 2026 slashed to 1.1 per cent from 1.4 per cent the year prior. [...]
Oil price surge pushes investors to bet against interest rate cut March 2, 2026 Investors have pared bets that the Bank of England will cut interest rates in March, as analysts worry that the surge in oil and gas prices could prop up inflationary pressures in the economy. European gas prices were up over 40 per cent on Monday while oil prices gained seven per cent to hover around [...]
Gas prices ‘go stratospheric’ as Qatari plant hit by Iran strikes March 2, 2026 European gas prices surged on Monday after Iranian retaliatory strikes shut down the world’s largest export plant for liquified natural gas (LNG), based in Qatar. In a statement, QaterEnergy, the Qatari state energy company, said it had ceased production of LNG due to “military attacks” on Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City. “One [...]
Oil prices spike as UK base hit by Iranian missile March 2, 2026 Oil prices spiked this morning as tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East, raising concerns that a key shipping route could be halted and an Iranian missile attack on an RAF base could drag the UK into a regional war. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil [...]
Investors tremble as Iran risks oil price spiral with attack on Strait of Hormuz February 28, 2026 City analysts and policymakers are on edge as a possible attack by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz could send oil prices spiralling. Investors fear a new inflationary shock could hit major economies including the UK as a result of full-blown war between the US and Iran. Many had pinned hopes on nuclear programme negotiations [...]
Risk of gas crisis as Iran launches missiles at US military bases June 23, 2025 Iran has launched a barrage of missiles at US military bases in Qatar, in response to America’s bombing raids over the weekend. City analysts have been on high alert over the potential economic fallout, with a warning that gas prices could more than double if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked. Analysts fear [...]
Don’t panic: What’s behind markets’ Iran-Israel indifference? June 23, 2025 Commentators have warned that an escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict could set off a chain of events that leads to the outbreak of World War 3. But markets have reacted as if the exchange of air attacks have barely happened at all. Ali Lyon digs into a puzzling few days of equities and oil trading. [...]
Lammy: Iran blocking Strait of Hormuz would be ‘catastrophic mistake’ June 23, 2025 Foreign secretary David Lammy has warned Iran that blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane would be a “mistake” after the nation vowed repercussions following the US’ attacks. Lammy told the BBC this morning: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. It would be a mistake to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.” The foreign secretary [...]