Australia Breaking News

Recurring applications for US unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in almost two years, declining by 32,000 to 1.819 million in the week ended March 14. Initial claims increased by 5,000 last week, to 210,000. Michael McKee reports on Bloomberg Television.

Robert Kaplan, vice chairman at Goldman Sachs, says, "the Fed is wise to be a risk manager here, not a prognosticator," in response to the war in Iran. Kaplan also discusses the US economy, how the war has impacted financial activity in the Gulf, and what the firm is telling clients at this moment.

The OECD says the conflict in the Middle East is reviving the specter of inflation and now sees the average rate for the Group of 20 this year jumping to 4%. OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann says there clearly is "quite a significant level of downside risk to our outlook today."

Wei Li, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock, says the firm has "flattened equity directional exposure to neutral" and is leaning into thematic investing in response to the war in Iran.

H&M first-quarter sales fell short of expectations in a period plagued by weak consumption and large currency effects. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Andrea Felsted weighs in on the challenges facing the Swedish fast-fashion retailer. Her views are her own.

Justin Muzinich, CEO of Muzinich & Co., says investors are looking past short-term war noise, with the Gulf remaining an attractive destination for capital as his firm expands in Abu Dhabi. He spoke to Joumanna Bercetche on Horizons Middle East & Africa.

Tom Mackenzie, Lizzy Burden and Mark Cudmore break down today's key themes for analysts and investors on "Bloomberg: The Opening Trade."

A private credit fund managed by Ares Management Corp. posted its steepest monthly loss on record in February, providing further evidence of deteriorating performance in the $1.8 trillion private credit market. Bloomberg's Sinead Cruise has more.

As NATO scales up defense spending, Slovakia is turning into a critical ammunition powerhouse. Over the past four years, exports of defense products have risen 2,200% to 2.4 billion ($2.9 billion). Bloomberg's Daniel Hornak reports.

AML3D (ASX:AL3) won a $2.6 million contract to produce critical submarine components for the US Navy.

A private credit fund managed by Ares Management posted its steepest monthly loss on record in February, providing further evidence of deteriorating performance in the $1.8 trillion private credit market. Bloomberg's Sinead Cruise has more.

The Australian Agricultural Company (ASX:AAC) released a critical update regarding the 2025/2026 monsoon flooding.