‘Scare signs’ as Middle East conflict overshadows positive signs for housing market | Modern Conveyancer

An aerial view of Stevenage on a grey cloudy day

The latest figures from HMRC and Nationwide paint a positive picture for the housing market, but experts warn the figures “set an alarming tone” as the Middle East conflict slows economic growth. The revised monthly UK residential property sales figures from HMRC show a 6% increase on January’s figures, at 102,410. Although the numbers are … Read more

Fed Chair Powell Warns: Another Supply Chain Scare Is Coming

Fed Chair Powell Warns: Another Supply Chain Scare Is Coming

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is down 7% year-to-date through March 30, 2026, while the VIX rose to 30.61 as energy shocks driven by WTI crude oil above $100 a barrel threaten to reverse inflation. Core PCE inflation reached 128.394 in January 2026, its highest figure in 12 months, while the yield of the … Read more

A food scare is inevitable because of the Iran war – and it could get worse

A food scare is inevitable because of the Iran war - and it could get worse

Food prices are expected to rise later this year dpa picture alliance/Alamy World food prices have reached their highest levels since the energy crisis of the 1970s, caused by conflicts in the Middle East, once inflation has been adjusted. Could we be headed for a new record – the worst food crisis ever – as … Read more

Powell sees inflation slowing, not necessarily rising due to oil scare

Fed Chair Powell: Inflation expectations appear to be fairly stable over the short term

The chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, in a wide speech at Harvard University, said on Monday that he sees inflation expectations established despite the rise in energy prices so the central bank does not need to respond with higher interest rates. As his term leading the central bank draws to a close, Powell … Read more