News about World markets
Iran has threatened to extend restrictions to other strategic maritime routes used for global energy shipments amid a new round of tensions with the United States. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Tehran is prepared to threaten “all export corridors that benefit the United States and its allies” if pressure on the country continues.
The Swiss group Richemont, which owns the Cartier jewelry house, began the new fiscal year with results that exceeded analysts’ forecasts. The main driver of growth was steady demand for Cartier jewelry in North and South America, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region.
Endava, a leader in the IT market, ended 2025 with a net profit of 45.2 million lei, which is half the previous year’s figure. The decline in financial performance was driven by a drop in sales and currency fluctuations.
The European aviation market finds itself in a vulnerable position: the region’s fuel reserves will last less than 30 days, and new risks in the Middle East could complicate jet fuel supplies. Europe has already increased imports from the U.S. and Asia, ramped up refinery utilization, and tapped into reserves, but its dependence on external suppliers remains high.
China’s crude oil imports in June fell to their lowest level since October 2016, despite the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. The sharp decline in purchases by the world’s largest oil importer served as a new sign of weakening demand and heightened uncertainty in the global energy market.
The international company Uber Technologies Inc. is in advanced negotiations to acquire the German company Delivery Hero—one of the world’s largest food delivery services. The potential deal could be one of the largest in the history of the European food delivery market and significantly alter the balance of power in the industry.
The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s five largest container carriers, has criticized the U.S. proposal to impose a 20 percent levy on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) has set new maximum fuel prices, which will take effect tomorrow, July 15.
The eurozone economy will grow more slowly than expected in the coming years. Economists have revised their forecast downward following a new conflict in the Middle East, which has once again threatened oil and gas supplies.
The U.S. will impose a 20% fee on all cargo transported through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the fee for passage through this key shipping route in the Middle East. He posted this on his personal page on Truth Social.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington may take over security operations in the Strait of Hormuz and expects to receive financial compensation for doing so.
The European Union failed to approve sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church: Bulgaria vetoed the proposal during closed-door negotiations, citing religious and cultural reasons.
Trade volume in the Kyiv Customs District for January–June 2026 totaled $18.2 billion—$4.3 billion more than in the first half of 2025.
In the first half of 2026, the European Union imported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s flagship “Yamal LNG” project than ever before. EU purchases reached a record 9.89 million metric tons in the first six months of the year—an 18% increase over the same period last year. According to Urgewald, Europe paid up to €6 billion for the shipments.
Moldovan wine exports to Canada fell sharply in 2025, despite the opportunities created by a sharp decline in shipments from the United States. According to Comtrade data, the value of Moldovan wines exported to the Canadian market fell to $4.07 million from $5.49 million in 2024, representing a decline of approximately 26%.
Prodlacta Brașov, a company owned by the Moldovan JLC Group, has made it into the top ten largest dairy producers in Romania.
Despite the rapid expansion of retail chains, Romania’s grocery retail market faced a slowdown in real consumption in 2025. Inflation and the opening of new stores were the main drivers of revenue growth for the largest players, while sales volumes in physical terms declined significantly.
The European Union (EU) is developing a special financial mechanism to reduce its economic dependence on China.
Romania’s automotive industry is having a difficult year. In the first half of 2026, the Dacia and Ford Otosan plants produced 247,972 passenger cars—12.7% fewer than during the same period last year. Moreover, the decline is accelerating: in June alone, production plummeted by 16%.
In just two days, Andy Burnham secured the support of a majority of Labor Party MPs and is expected to become the next prime minister of the United Kingdom following Keir Starmer’s resignation. Such a rapid start left potential rivals with almost no chance. However, the closer Burnham gets to power, the more questions arise about what his government will look like and what course it will take.
