#stockpile-shortages

#stockpile-shortages

The economics are hard to ignore. Shooting down a drone with AeroVironment's LOCUST laser system costs less than $10, using just two to five seconds of laser energy. Compare that to the interceptor missiles currently used against Iranian drone swarms, which cost orders of magnitude more and are in short supply across allied arsenals.

Petrol stocks averaged 44-47% across the country before the conflict, but fell to between 36-43% in the weeks following February 28, hitting a low of 36% on March 4, 6, and 7.

"About 18 percent of stations are missing at least one type of fuel," the Deputy Minister said on French media RMC/BFMTV.

"Transportation costs are a big factor there. Every company that is involved and has logistics and they have to pay for gas, either they have to absorb this cost, or they will charge the third party that will provide this service. I'm not surprised this is happening, because at some point, Amazon will say we cannot absorb all this cost."

The CPI data due this month will be the first hard measure of American consumer prices since the Strait of Hormuz became a conflict zone, and every early signal points to a number that will shock people who stopped paying attention to energy transmission mechanisms after 2022.

High energy prices are kryptonite for the housing market. Affordability, especially for those first-time home buyers, is now an elusive dream until oil prices come down and interest rates come down.

The conflict has driven up the price of oil and natural gas; damaged oil refineries, tanker terminals and other energy infrastructure; disrupted shipments of fertiliser that the world's farmers depend on; and damaged the confidence of businesses and consumers.

Major indices, including the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, all recorded gains, with the Nasdaq delivering its strongest weekly performance since November.

The dollar index held broadly steady on Thursday, as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran kept investor sentiment cautious. Reports that oil tanker transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained, alongside some ongoing tensions in the Middle East, have kept markets on edge.

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) has spent 27 years being the answer to the question of which part of the market absorbs the blow best during economic downturns, holding 36 positions across essential goods.

"The result will be a shortfall of 10 million tons that represents a "systemic risk for global industries, technological advancement and economic growth," the report said."