War in Middle East rattles global financial markets
Since late February, tensions between the US Israel, and Iran have rattled financial markets worldwide.
Airstrikes kicked off a chain reaction: energy prices shot up, inflation worries grew, and investors started selling off bonds in a hurry.
Oil prices jump, borrowing costs surge
Oil prices are now at $92 a barrel because of supply fears around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy.
With Qatar pausing gas production and Saudi Arabia stopping some refinery work, borrowing costs (like US and UK government bond yields) have jumped.
Central banks rethink rate cuts
Central banks are rethinking their plans: the Fed's timing for any 2026 rate cuts is uncertain, while the Bank of England is scaling back its own cuts.
Inflation isn't just about energy anymore. It's spreading wider.
All this could mean higher costs for loans or mortgages and more uncertainty for savings and investments as markets keep reacting to every new headline.