How the US‑Iran Conflict Is Affecting Global Commodity Markets

US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have sparked significant disruptions in energy, freight, and wider commodity and agricultural markets.

Oil surged at the start of the week, global stock markets wavered, and the energy and shipping sectors have become central to an escalating crisis as commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has halted to a near standstill. 

On Monday, the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran escalated, extending the conflict to Lebanon as Israel responded to strikes by...

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor’s January Data Shows Fourth Consecutive Monthly Gain

Retail sales saw a moderate monthly increase and strong year-over-year gains in January, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by NRF.

“Consumers demonstrated continued resilience in January, showing moderate spending growth on the heels of record-high spending during the holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “This was the fourth consecutive month that sales rose from the month before, and year-over-year gains were particularly strong. Consumer spending continues to drive the broader economy forward, supported...

Import Cargo Volume Expected to See Year-Over-Year Drop During First Half of 2026

Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to see a significant year-over-year decline during the first half of 2026 as the impact of tariffs continues, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“With tariffs still a matter of debate in the courts and in Congress, their effect on imports is being clearly seen,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “The situation underscores the need...

China's Meat Output Rises Nearly 4% Through Third Quarter 2025 as Imports Fall

China’s meat sector rose 3.8% through the first three quarters of 2025, driven by strong domestic poultry output, while import volumes slumped, according to recently released data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 

The broader economic picture shows that the world’s second-largest economy grew 4.8% during Q3, its slowest pace in a year, as weak domestic demand left China increasingly dependent on strong export activity. 

Although the growth rate keeps China on track for its roughly 5% annual target, economists question whether the momentum is sustainable, given the country's reliance on external demand amid trade tensions with the United States...