U.S. President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, although it was not clear on Wednesday if Iran or Israel, the U.S. ally in the two-month war, would agree.
In a surprising turn of events, retail sales have demonstrated robust growth, signaling a potential boost in consumer confidence and economic activity. The latest data reveals that retail sales increased by 1.7%, surpassing the anticipated forecast of 1.4%. This stronger-than-expected performance suggests a positive outlook for consumer spending, which is a critical component of the overall economic landscape.
U.S. business inventories increased slightly more than expected in February amid a sharp rebound in stocks at wholesalers, suggesting that inventory investment could add to economic growth in the first quarter.
Oil prices fell over $1 on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place this week and lead to more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region.
Fitch Ratings says the U.S. credit risk outlook has deteriorated entering the second quarter of 2026, citing emerging threats from the Iran war and software disruption.