Daybreak Weekend: Fed Meeting, Europe Central Bank Decisions, Takaichi-Trump Meeting

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Alexis Christoforous take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look at to what we can expect for  mortgage rates in 2026. In the UK – we preview Denmark's upcoming snap elections In Asia – a discussion on what we can expect when EV maker BYD releases earnings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) Oil dropped from its highest close since July 2022, as the leaders of the US and Israel sought to reassure investors rattled by damage to major Persian Gulf energy facilities.(2) Iran’s latest attack on Qatar, which severely damaged the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facility, will cost the country’s state energy company about $20 billion of lost revenue.(3) The European Union is bracing for a protracted energy price shock after Iran crippled a vital Qatar gas plant, raising the prospect of a years-long supply crunch.(4) European Central Bank policymakers would be ready to raise interest rates as soon as their next meeting should fallout from the war in Iran push inflation too far above target, according to people familiar with the situation.(5) The Bank of England said it “stands ready to act” against a surge in inflation triggered by war in the Middle East, prompting traders to ramp up bets on an interest-rate hike as soon as next month.Podcast Conversation: Traders Overwhelmed by Iran News Are Turning to AI for HelpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) European natural gas prices surged after Iranian missile strikes caused damage to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant, stoking concerns about prolonged tightness in global supplies.(2) A Qatari complex housing the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant suffered “extensive damage” amid a sharp escalation of attacks on energy facilities across the Persian Gulf.(3) President Donald Trump pressed for a de-escalation of attacks on Middle East energy assets after Iranian and Israeli strikes on major gas hubs jolted global markets.(4) Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged and continued to expect one rate cut this year as they acknowledged increased uncertainty due to war in the Middle East.(5) The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged as uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict clouds the economic outlook, while also pledging to raise borrowing costs if its price forecast materializes.(6) The Bank of England may respond more aggressively than expected to soaring energy prices since war broke out in the Middle East because its internal models assume a large and long-lasting impact on inflation.(7) UK unemployment held steady and employers hired more staff in early signs that the labor market may be stabilizing ahead of the Bank of England’s interest-rate decision later today.Podcast Conversation: Iran’s Hormuz Blockade Leaves Stranded Crews Braving Missiles and Signal JammingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) A Qatari complex housing the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export plant suffered “extensive damage” amid a sharp escalation of attacks on energy facilities across the Persian Gulf.(2) President Donald Trump pressed for a de-escalation of attacks on Middle East energy assets after Iranian and Israeli strikes on major gas hubs jolted global markets.(3) Spy chief Tulsi Gabbard dodged questions about the severity of the threat posed by Iran in Senate testimony on Wednesday, with the long-time skeptic of foreign interventions careful not to contradict either her own past beliefs or the Trump administration’s stance on the conflict.(4) Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged and continued to expect one rate cut this year as they acknowledged increased uncertainty due to war in the Middle East.(5) The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged as uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict clouds the economic outlook, while also pledging to raise borrowing costs if its price forecast materializes. (6) The Bank of England may respond more aggressively than expected to soaring energy prices since war broke out in the Middle East because its internal models assume a large and long-lasting impact on inflation.(7) HSBC is weighing deep job cuts over the coming years as Chief Executive Officer Georges Elhedery bets on AI to shrink its middle and back offices, one of the first signs of how the technology could reshape Wall Street workforces.Podcast Conversation: Iran’s Hormuz Blockade Leaves Stranded Crews Braving Missiles and Signal JammingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) US President Donald Trump abandoned his effort to recruit partners for the war with Iran and scolded allies who openly rejected his appeals, even as he repeated claims the conflict would end soon.(2) Europe is learning how to say “no” to Donald Trump over his war in Iran. Nearly three weeks into the expanding conflict, European leaders have stopped equivocating and started outright telling the US president they won’t help his campaign with Israel.(3) Israel’s killing of Ali Larijani, a veteran Iranian politician known for his pragmatism and long experience helming national security, leaves the Islamic Republic’s wartime leadership largely in the hands of hardliners who may be less likely to seek a diplomatic pathway out of the war.(4) Oil dropped as Iraq signed a deal to resume exports via Turkey that avoid the Strait of Hormuz, and as the US stepped up efforts to force the reopening of the key waterway.(5) Artificial intelligence won’t necessarily lead to job cuts in Europe and may benefit companies in the region, according to Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel.(6) Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said she is drawing up plans to give regional leaders in the UK control of some national tax revenues as part of her push to raise economic growth across Britain.Podcast Conversation: Why a $1,000 Jacket Puts Designer Todd Snyder at the Sweet SpotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) Iran stepped up attacks on energy infrastructure around the Persian Gulf and set a massive gas field ablaze, adding more pressure to an increasingly fraught global fuel supply situation.(2) President Donald Trump reiterated his appeals for other nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran was nearly obliterated even as the war keeps roiling oil markets and global shipping.(3) President Donald Trump requested a delay to his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for about a month, saying it was important for him to remain in Washington to oversee the Iran war.(4) European natural gas prices will be a whopping 40% higher than previously projected for 2026 and will stay elevated through 2027 as the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz set off a supply shortfall, according to a report from HSBC.(5) Default rates in direct lending will climb to 8% as advances in artificial intelligence continue to disrupt the software industry, according to Morgan Stanley.(6) Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang, addressing crowds at the company’s biggest annual event, unveiled a variety of new products while predicting that its flagship AI processors would help generate $1 trillion in sales through 2027.Podcast Conversation: Ireland Woos Trump in St. Patrick’s Day Charm OffensiveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) US President Donald Trump said he is “demanding” that other countries contribute to the defense of the Strait of Hormuz as it remains effectively closed to oil tankers.(2) As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week, pressure is growing on the person in the best position to end it: Donald Trump.(3) About 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) from Tehran, high in the Turkish mountains, lies NATO’s frontline of defense against a Middle East at war.(4) The Iran war threatens to deal significant blows to the Gulf’s biggest economies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, if it doesn’t end soon.(5) The UK government is preparing targeted support to help lower-income households with soaring energy bills as oil prices, fueled by the Iran war, exceed $100 a barrel.(6) Socialist candidate Emmanuel Gregoire topped the first round of the Paris mayoral election Sunday as the left seeks to extend its quarter-century rule over the French capital.Podcast Conversation: ‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Oscar for Best Picture See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re sharing something a little different in the Daybreak Europe feed today, the the latest episode of Here’s Why  hosted by Stephen Carroll.While Daybreak Europe brings you the essential news each morning, Here’s Why takes one major global story each week and explores the deeper context behind it. In this episode, Stephen is joined by Becca Wasser, Defense Lead at Bloomberg Economics, to examine the Iran war as it shifts into a more sustained military campaign. As strikes continue across the region, they discuss weapons supply, defensive capacity and what the pace of operations could mean for how the conflict unfolds. If you want more episodes search for Here’s Why and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released every week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week. In the US – a look ahead to next week’s monetary policy decision from the Federal Reserve and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead. In the UK – a look ahead to the Bank of England and European Central Bank decisions. In Asia – a look ahead to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) The US has issued its second authorization for buyers to take Russian oil cargoes already at sea, widening a temporary waiver given last week to India alone in an effort to ease pressure on prices as the war in the Middle East continues.(2) Brent oil traded near $100 a barrel following one of the most volatile trading weeks ever, with investors bracing for more upheaval as Iran pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut.(3) The number of Iranian missile launchers has held steady after a week of unrelenting airstrikes, according to Israeli and western estimates, indicating the difficulty of finding small, mobile targets without having complete control of the skies.(4) A KC-135 refueling plane that was part of the American military campaign against Iran crashed over western Iraq after an incident involving another plane, US Central Command said Thursday night.(5) The basic assumptions that have underpinned hedging strategies for decades are coming undone by the escalating war in Iran.Podcast Conversation: America’s Decade-Long AI War Efforts Get a Trial by Fire in IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.