BUSINESS

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares closed at $252.89 on Thursday, up modestly by 0.27 or 0.11% from the prior session, demonstrating relative stability in a turbulent market rocked by escalating uncertainties in the U.S.-Iran conflict and sharply higher oil prices that stoked inflation fears across Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 337.36 points Friday, closing at 45,622.75 amid persistent worries over the U.S.-Iran conflict and a sharp rise in oil prices that heightened inflation concerns and clouded the outlook for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

User reports indicate problems with Instagram beginning around 2:34 AM EDT on Friday, March 27, 2026, according to real-time tracking from Downdetector.

A potential SpaceX initial public offering at a valuation exceeding $1.75 trillion could push Elon Musk's net worth past the $1 trillion mark in 2026, solidifying his position as the world's richest person and making him humanity's first trillionaire, analysts and market observers say.

The S&P/ASX 200 index edged lower on Friday, March 27, 2026, closing at 8,516.30 after shedding 9.40 points or 0.11%, as investors weighed lingering uncertainty from Middle East tensions and mixed signals from global markets.

Cleaning Edge Solutions, Australia's fastest growing commercial cleaning provider, has invested millions of dollars into the development and rollout of its proprietary desktop platform, CESgo, in what industry leaders are describing as a major shift in how businesses manage cleaning, hygiene and operational accountability.

SYDNEY — Artificial intelligence engineers and aged care workers are spearheading Australia's fastest-growing occupations in 2026, as the nation's labour market grapples with technological disruption, an ageing population and infrastructure demands, according to the latest projections from Jobs and Skills Australia and industry reports.

Alphabet Inc. shares traded lower in early Thursday trading, pulling back from recent levels as Wall Street digested the tech giant's strong fourth-quarter performance and ambitious plans for heavy artificial intelligence investments in 2026.

GameStop Corp. shares traded modestly lower in early Thursday trading as investors digested the video game retailer's latest quarterly results, which showed declining revenue amid a broader industry shift to digital downloads but a surge in profitability and a massive cash reserve that continues to fuel speculation about the meme stock's future.

SYDNEY — Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation's largest lender, has increased home loan interest rates for the second time in March 2026, adding further pressure to mortgage holders already grappling with higher borrowing costs following two Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate rises this year.

NEW YORK — As the cryptocurrency market navigates geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty in March 2026, investors are eyeing established leaders and high-potential altcoins for the year ahead, with Bitcoin hovering near $70,000 and the total market capitalization recovering toward $2.5 trillion.

SYDNEY — With the Reserve Bank of Australia raising the official cash rate to 4.10% in March 2026, Sydney homebuyers and refinancers face higher borrowing costs, making the choice of mortgage lender more critical than ever for managing repayments on the city's premium property market.

MUMBAI — Australian investors seeking diversification beyond the ASX are increasingly turning to India's dynamic economy, where robust domestic consumption, digital transformation and government-backed infrastructure spending offer long-term potential despite short-term global volatility.

NEW YORK — S&P 500 futures declined Thursday as investors weighed persistent uncertainty over a potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict, with oil prices remaining elevated and weighing on broader risk sentiment.

LONDON — Next plc dominated the FTSE 100 gainers Thursday as the blue-chip index edged lower amid renewed oil price volatility and lingering geopolitical uncertainties tied to the Middle East.

SYDNEY — Defence technology company DroneShield Ltd led the S&P/ASX 200's biggest gainers on Wednesday, surging 19.33% to close at A$4.26 as investors piled into counter-drone and resources names amid ongoing uncertainty from the US-Iran conflict and broader commodity movements.

As the US-Iran war pushes global oil prices above US$100 per barrel and fuels uncertainty in traditional markets, Australian Bitcoin investors face a familiar question: sell to lock in gains, buy the dip, or simply hold?

The escalating US-Iran war has delivered a fresh inflationary shock to Australia through soaring fuel prices, forcing the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike its cash rate twice in quick succession and casting doubt on expected interest rate relief for mortgage holders in 2026.

The US-Iran war has driven sharp price increases across a range of everyday Australian products, with petrol and diesel leading the charge as oil prices surged past US$100 per barrel and the Strait of Hormuz disruptions choked off roughly 20% of global supply.

Australian investors looking beyond the resources-heavy ASX are increasingly eyeing Japanese equities in 2026, drawn by ongoing corporate governance reforms, a supportive fiscal backdrop under the new administration

Australian investors seeking diversification beyond the ASX are turning to New Zealand's NZX market in 2026, drawn by attractive valuations, high dividend yields in select names, exposure to renewable energy and healthcare, and the benefits of a closely aligned economy and currency.

The ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict has injected fresh uncertainty into Australia's housing market, driving up fuel and construction costs while prompting the Reserve Bank of Australia to hike interest rates, leaving potential buyers and sellers weighing whether now is the right time to act or to wait for greater clarity.

SYDNEY — Australia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export sector has emerged as the industry most directly and significantly affected by the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war, with global price surges offering potential revenue windfalls for producers while shipping disruptions, insurance surcharges and indirect fuel cost pressures ripple through the broader economy.

Building costs across Australia are surging once again, with key materials rising as much as 36 percent in recent weeks due to fuel price spikes triggered by conflict in the Middle East, threatening to derail the federal government's ambitious target of constructing 1.2 million new homes over five years and adding fresh pressure to an already strained housing market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 290 points Wednesday, March 25, 2026, snapping a string of choppy sessions as investors weighed persistent geopolitical risks from the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict against signs of tentative stabilization in oil markets and a modest rebound in equities.

Starbucks Corp. shares edged higher in early Wednesday trading, rising about 0.80% to around $92.72 as investors weighed ongoing U.S. traffic challenges against signs of stabilization in China and the company's multi-year reset plan aimed at reclaiming its position as the "third place" between home and work.

McDonald's Corp. shares rose modestly in early Wednesday trading, climbing to around $309 as investors responded positively to the fast-food giant's aggressive value menu push aimed at reigniting traffic in a high-inflation environment that has kept budget-conscious diners away.

SYDNEY — Jetstar has temporarily cut more than 10% of its scheduled flights between Australia and New Zealand as soaring jet fuel prices triggered by the Middle East conflict bite into demand and raise operating costs for the Qantas-owned low-cost carrier.

SYDNEY — Hundreds of petrol stations across Australia have run out of diesel or unleaded fuel amid a worsening supply crunch triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, prompting the federal government to temporarily lower diesel standards for six months and release emergency reserves to ease shortages.