Oil markets experienced a sharp reversal in June following a deescalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East between the US and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, with more than 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports typically passing through the narrow waterway. The conflict severely disrupted shipping activity, leaving hundreds of merchant vessels stranded in the Gulf and reducing traffic through the strait to a fraction of normal levels.
November elections bring local & global politics into focus
October 20, 2026
The coming months will be shaped by several important policy developments, both locally and internationally. In South Africa, inflation is likely to rise before moderating,