Macroeconomic Insights: Are Global Food Prices on Their Way Up?

Since the outbreak of the Hormuz conflict in early March 2026, media coverage has understandably centered on oil prices and their pass-through to fuel and transportation costs. Less attention has been paid to other commodities transiting the Strait, notably urea and...

Macroeconomic Insights: There’s No Ceasefire for Inflation

Late last night (April 7, 2026), the U.S. and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire to allow for diplomacy. During this time, Iran has agreed to coordinate the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. News of the ceasefire pushed Brent Crude futures back down to...

Macroeconomic Insights: Asia-Pacific Tries to Contain the Oil Shock

Across the Asia-Pacific, policymakers are throwing subsidies, tax cuts, reserve releases, and pricing controls at rising fuel costs in an attempt to delay or smooth an external energy shock from becoming a broader inflation problem (Figure 1). But that strategy is...