All week, central banks have struck a broadly similar tone: caution amid heightened uncertainty. Economists anticipate much the same from the Bank of England.

Following a two-day meeting, the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee is widely expected to keep its Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% when it delivers its decision at midday on Thursday.

Recent commentary suggests an 8–1 vote split in favour of a hold, with the bank’s chief economist, Huw Pill, the likely lone dissenter, voting for a quarter-point hike. (LS – Continue Reading)

The euro area economy likely expanded at the same rate last quarter as in the final three months of 2025, and inflation this month is set for a second straight increase due to the Iran war.

The data is scheduled for release just hours before the European Central Bank is set to announce its latest rate decision, with analysts predicting a rate hold.

An economists’ poll said quarterly GDP growth in the Eurozone rose 0.2% last quarter after increasing at that rate in the previous period. Also due with the preliminary data report Thursday is the year-on-year rate, with a Q1 rise of 0.9% expected following 1.2% in the previous three months. (LS – Continue Reading)

Euro area central bankers are widely expected to leave key interest rates unchanged Thursday amid mounting evidence that the Iran war is driving consumer costs higher as it undercuts economic growth.

Traders and economists agreed that any policy action from the public lender will come at the next decision-making meeting of the European Central Bank in six weeks, with both calling for a 25 basis-point hike at that juncture. (LS – Continue Reading)

Just weeks after President Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz “COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS” only to see ship traffic stall, the administration is now asking other countries to join a new international coalition that would enable ships to navigate the waterway.

The effort, called the “Maritime Freedom Construct,” was spelled out in an internal State Department cable sent to US embassies on Tuesday that called on US diplomats to press foreign governments into signing up. The US-led coalition would share information, coordinate diplomatically and enforce sanctions, according to the cable. (WSJ – Continue Reading)

President Trump is slated to receive a briefing on new plans for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, two sources with knowledge tell Axios.

Why it matters: The briefing signals that Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations either to try to break the logjam in negotiations or to deliver a final blow before ending the war.

Behind the scenes: CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran — likely including infrastructure targets — in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock, three sources with knowledge said. (Axios – Continue Reading)