Pacific Perspectives
LNG markets could face year-long turmoil after strike on Qatar facility
Global liquefied natural gas supplies could be disrupted for more than a year after an Iranian missile strike on Qatar’s production facilities resulted in extensive damage, deepening the turmoil in that market for Australian producers.…
$A the ‘belle of the ball’ as RBA gets ahead of the pack
The Reserve Bank of Australia has put the country ahead of the pack by raising interest rates early, a move that has bolstered the Australian dollar and could save home owners money in the long…
Government bonds face ‘perfect storm’ as Iran war rattles Europe’s central banks
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/interest-rates-bonds-bank-of-england-european-central-bank-investors-iran-war-ecb-inflation.html
The Fed issues its latest interest rate decision Wednesday. Here’s what to expect
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/17/the-fed-issues-its-latest-interest-rate-decision-wednesday-heres-what-to-expect.html
Shares of big four banks at risk after RBA rate rise
Shares of Australia’s big four banks could come under pressure after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates on Tuesday, with Morgan Stanley warning that earnings could be hit by as much as 11 per cent.…
Only one in four fund managers beat the ASX last year
Just one in four Australian active equity fund managers managed to beat the market last year, underscoring the challenge facing an industry that is already competing for inflows from cheaper exchange traded funds. The S&P Dow…
Oil reaches for $US110 as war escalates
Australian shares are set for an opening drop of 1.7 per cent as oil spiked toward the $US110 a barrel mark. Iran has retaliated for Israel’s attack on the South Pars gasfield by hitting Qatar’s…
Dow tumbles more than 750 points to new closing low for 2026, fueled by inflation woes; Fed holds steady on rates
Stocks sold off on Wednesday after new U.S. economic data as well as comments from the Federal Reserve chief stoked concerns about persistent inflation in the country. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 768.11 points, or 1.63%, ending at 46,225.15. The…
Oil prices top $103 as U.S. allies reluctant to escort tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices rose more than 2% on Tuesday, as doubts grow that President Donald Trump will organize a meaningful coalition to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/17/oil-prices-wti-brent-hormuz-coalition-shipping-trump.html
How the Iran war could hit your electricity bill this winter
Gas plays a pivotal role in our own domestic energy system, especially in winter. If it continues, this distant war may ripple into the Australian grid. Uncertainty has again descended over global energy markets. Not…