“Those stories are largely politically driven by governmental authorities who are trying to pressure an end to the war, and no better way to get people out than tell them that they can't get to their summer holiday,” he told Fortune. “Not only has demand not slowed for private aviation, since fuel prices went up and the war started, it's actually gone up slightly,” he says. “Aviation is up this year in terms of total demand, total hours flown, total volume of arrivals and departures, on a global basis.”
Official figures showed GDP grew by 0.3 per cent during the month after a 0.4 per cent rise in February, while the economy expanded by 0.6 per cent across the first quarter of 2026. The stronger-than-expected performance came even as global markets were rattled by surging oil prices, mounting instability in the Middle East and growing fears of a prolonged energy shock following the conflict involving Iran. Investors welcomed the figures as evidence that the British economy had so far remained more resilient than many analysts predicted.
The Red Sea cuts spurred companies and governments to look for alternate routes, and the Strait of Hormuz seemed promising. Then the US and Israel attacked Iran, cable projects were halted, and now the world is looking elsewhere once again.
The dollar index rose on Tuesday, reversing previous losses as renewed doubts over the durability of the US-Iran ceasefire revived demand for the currency. Risk appetite deteriorated after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal and warned that the ceasefire was "on life support," raising fears that tensions could intensify again.
Falling oil prices and easing inflation concerns pushed bond yields and the dollar lower, supporting gold prices. The 10-year Treasury yield sits at 4.4%, and softer real yields lower the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset like bullion.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to strike 18 US technology and defense-related companies operating in the Middle East, including GE, which has contributed to a bearish sentiment among investors.
Escalating geopolitical risk continued to dominate global markets' concerns, with safe-haven demand keeping the dollar index anchored near a multi-week high.
The February PAPI declined over the month and is nearly 10% lower than a year ago, reflecting both reduced payments and steady income growth, Edward Seiler said. While affordability conditions remain challenging in many markets, these incremental gains felt across more than half of states are an encouraging sign for prospective buyers, particularly those seeking lower-payment options.
"I think it surprised me how easily people are swayed by headlines," says Suderman, noting that wartime information flows are often strategic and conflicting. "You have to learn in a wartime to take everything with a grain of salt in the context of what you observe."
Rising inflation concerns, hawkish monetary policy signals, and escalating geopolitical tensions weighed on risk assets. Energy markets are adding to the pressure. Oil prices surged following renewed attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East, intensifying concerns about inflationary pressure.
