News about World markets
In 2026, traders and cryptocurrency hedge funds are switching en masse to trading traditional assets such as gold, oil and stocks.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu urged the ministers and all the involved institutions to ensure a close and productive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, which will visit Chisinau between May 7 and 20, and to take the visit “with the utmost seriousness”.
The dollar weakened against most major currencies on Wednesday after the U.S. signaled it may be close to an agreement with Iran. President Donald Trump said he would briefly suspend the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
Oil prices are down for a second straight day amid expectations of a resumption of crude supplies from the key Middle East region, after US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible peace deal with Iran.
India will be the main driver of the world economy in the coming years, while the center of global growth is finally shifting to Asia. This is the conclusion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its updated World Economic Outlook.
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that (wholesale) producer prices (large farms – 50 ha or more) for agricultural products in January-March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 decreased by 4.7% overall. Specifically, prices for plant products decreased by an average of 9.1%, while prices for livestock products increased by an average of 4.4%.
A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headed by Alina Iancu, will visit Moldova from May 7 to 20, 2026. The purpose of the visit is to coordinate policies under the new program.
European Union countries’ oil and gas import costs rose sharply in March-April 2026, exceeding an additional €30 billion, European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen told a briefing in Brussels.
The Italian island of Capri, known as one of the most prestigious destinations in the Mediterranean, is strengthening control over the behavior of those who work with tourists. Local authorities have adopted new regulations aimed at combating the intrusive offer of services in public places.
About 1 thousand tons of table grapes were exported by Moldova in April 2026. The buyer is Iraq.
Paris is still the most expensive city on the secondary housing market in France. The average price here reaches about 10 thousand euros per square meter, and this is almost twice as high as in most major cities of the country.
World central banks in March 2026 reduced total gold reserves by 30 tons. This is stated in the report of the World Gold Council (WGC).
The Romanian government headed by Ilie Bolojan has resigned after a vote of no confidence initiated by opposition forces. According to media reports, the initiative was supported by 281 parliamentarians with the required minimum of 233 votes.
French luxury conglomerate LVMH is exploring the sale of a number of fashion houses, cosmetics brands and alcohol assets amid slowing demand for luxury goods.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has set new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect tomorrow, May 6.
Poland has seen the world’s fastest growth in the number of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) – individuals with net worth over $30 million – over the past five years.
Tensions in the Gulf region and volatility in energy markets may lead to a further downward revision of the GDP forecast. According to Eugeniu Osmokescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, the recent downward revision of the economic growth forecast from 3.3% to 2.2% for this year is not the last.
Global exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in April to their lowest level in almost two years. This was the result of the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the lost Qatari volumes are quickly being replaced by other producers: for example, from the US and Canada.
The Russian Defense Ministry has announced a unilateral ceasefire for the period from May 8 to May 9, when Moscow celebrates the annual Victory Day in World War II.
Western Union issued its own “stable coin” USDPT on the Solana blockchain. The issuer of the coin was cryptobank Anchorage Digital.
