Key Events Around the Globe: March 30

Us Consumer Sentiment Slides to Three-Month Low As War Fans Inflation Fears

U.S. consumer sentiment fell more than expected in March, touching a three-month low, as war in the Middle East stoked inflation worries and cast a shadow over the economic outlook. The decline, reported by the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers on Friday, occurred across political party affiliation and age groups, with large decreases among middle- and higher income consumers as well as those owning stocks.

The University of Michigan said its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to a final reading of 53.3 this month, the lowest reading since December, from 55.5 earlier. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index would ease to 54.0.

Italian State Finances Can Absorb Shock Due to Middle East Crisis, Finance Minister Says

Italian state finances can absorb the negative impact of the crisis in the Middle East, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Saturday, as the government prepares to update budget targets and growth estimates for 2026 and the following years.

Giorgetti said he was still hoping for a downward revision of last year’s deficit to 3% of national output from 3.1% by national statistics office ISTAT, a move that would allow Italy to exit the EU’s excessive deficit procedure this year, ahead of time.

China’s Industrial Profits Jump As Middle East War Casts Long Shadow

China’s industrial firms reported stronger profit growth early in the year, reinforcing recovery signals in the world’s second-largest economy even as the Middle East war threatens global growth.

Business margins remain squeezed as rising input costs and fierce competition bite across sectors, while trade and geopolitical tensions cloud the outlook for exports- a key engine of economic growth.

Industrial profits grew 15.2% in the first two months over the same period last year, following a 0.6% increase for the whole of last year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday.

Source: HSL Prime Daily, 30 March 2026