The spring housing market is on, but mortgage rates just shot higher. Here’s what to know.

     The housing market this spring has been different than we have normally seen. spring is one of the most popular times to buy a home and there are many homes on the market. But the thing is there aren't more homes on the market because more people are selling homes, its because the homes are taking longer to sell. One of the main reasons being that mortgage rates have gone up by about 6.5% this makes payment for homeowners more expensive. Even though the home prices aren't rising that much the reason for people not buying homes is the increase in interest rates. Builders of homes are also struggling because the cost to make a home has gone up and their final products are taking much longer to sell. Overall because of these higher interest rates its making it harder for producers and consumers when it comes to producing and purchasing a home. 

source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/20/spring-housing-market-mortgage-rates.html

Can We See The End?

     Oil prices ended this past week still above $100 a barrel. With President Trump claiming to have made progress on the Strait of Hormuz, we might finally see a fall in prices. 

    President Trump claims to have given Iran 48 hours from Saturday night to open the Strait of Hormuz for passage. At this point in time, there has not been any sort of movement allowed through the passage. The talks to open the Strait mean that we are more than likely not to see the end of the war in Iran. Ex-Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette says he believes we will see a drop in oil prices in the coming weeks.

    With gas prices staying above $3.50 across most of America, citizens cannot keep up with the prices for much longer. The war in Iran may end in 2 days or 2 years; no one knows. The US government must find a way to lower these prices to keep citizens across the nation from falling behind financially. 

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/iran-war-oil-trump-hormuz-strait-threat 

Agricultural and Market Price Volatility (World Economic Forum)

 The war is driving up not just energy prices but also markets for key agricultural inputs like fertilizers, because petrochemical products travel through the same routes affected by the conflict. This has contributed to higher food prices globally, adding inflationary pressure in both developed and developing economies. 

Commodity markets have become more volatile as traders price in the risk of long‑term supply disruption, and countries dependent on energy and food imports face larger fiscal and balance‑of‑payments challenges. This combination of cost pressures and uncertainty can slow global demand and compress economic growth prospects.

source : https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/03/the-global-price-tag-of-war-in-the-middle-east/?utm

Business and Supply Chain Risks (Reuters / Thomson Reuters)

 

Analysts say the conflict has created the potential for a “dual‑chokepoint” shipping crisis, where disruptions in both the Strait of Hormuz and other Middle East sea routes could significantly slow global trade. Higher insurance costs, freight rate spikes, and rerouting of maritime traffic are already driving up the cost of shipping goods ranging from energy to manufactured products. 

These bottlenecks and logistical challenges increase uncertainty for businesses and reduce efficiency in global supply networks, which can lead to slower investment and production as firms adapt to higher risk and cost structures. This could weaken profits and slow growth in sectors dependent on imported inputs.

source : https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/corporates/iran-war-economic-business-impact/?

1. Impact on Asia’s Economy and Global Growth (Time)

 

The war’s economic effects extend beyond energy markets into broader regional economies, especially in Asia, where many countries import large amounts of oil and gas from the Middle East. Rising energy prices and disruption to trade routes could slow industrial activity, hurt growth, and push inflation higher in Asia, which would then ripple through global supply chains and trade balances. 

Higher prices for fossil fuels and the knock‑on effects on food and transportation costs are also straining household budgets and corporate margins, making it harder for central banks to balance inflation and growth concerns. This could lead to slower global economic expansion as countries deal with costlier inputs and weaker trade performance.

source : https://time.com/article/2026/03/16/us-israel-iran-war-trump-asia-economy-oil-energy-inflation-recession/?

The stakes are enormous: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy Richard Partington

 The article explains that what many initially viewed as a short‑lived conflict has already driven oil prices above $100 a barrel and doubled European gas costs, creating heightened inflation and financial market volatility. Central banks and governments worldwide are warning that sustained energy price shocks could slow growth, hurt industries, and raise living costs, making everyday things like petrol, flights, and fertilizers significantly more expensive. 

A key concern is the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one‑fifth of the world’s oil normally flows; if it remains effectively blocked, supplies of oil, gas and critical petrochemical products could tighten further. The article highlights that rising energy and supply chain pressures could ripple into food and manufacturing sectors, dragging down global growth and underscoring how fragile and interconnected the global economy is in the face of geopolitical shocks.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/mar/22/iran-war-global-economy-donald-trump-oil-prices-inflation?

Are the rich helping us stay out of a recession?

 

The idea of a “K-shaped” economy has become popular since COVID-19, suggesting that the recovery has mainly benefited the rich while lower-income groups have fallen behind. This raises concerns that economic growth depends too heavily on high-income households, meaning a drop in their spending could hurt the entire economy. While this seems believable, especially with claims that the top 10–20% account for a large share of spending, the article argues that these conclusions are based on questionable data. For example, estimates from Moody’s Analytics rely on assumptions about income and savings behavior that may not accurately reflect how people actually spend.

When looking at more reliable data, like surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and analysis from Barclays, the story changes. These sources show that higher-income households make up closer to one-third of total spending, and that share has remained fairly stable over time. Other indicators also don’t support a strong divide; spending growth, wage increases, and consumer confidence are relatively similar across income groups. Overall, while inequality in the U.S. is still an issue, the idea that the economy is being driven only by the wealthy seems exaggerated, making the “K-shaped” recovery more of a catchy concept than a reality.

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/03/08/would-america-be-in-recession-without-the-super-rich

War-driven energy price spikes highlight value of renewables: UN climate chief

As war rages in the Middle East, the United Nations executive secretary, Simon Stiell, has focused on shifting Europe toward dependence on renewable energy. In 2025 alone, renewable clean energy received twice as much investment as fossil fuels, underscoring how companies are driving climate action. Voters are advocating for a decrease in fossil fuel dependency. Renewables have been shown to keep prices down and create more jobs while also improving air quality, health, quality of life, and pollution. Economic resilience could be improved by decreasing the world's reliance on fossil fuels from the Middle East and the volatile price changes. Stiell stated in his speech, "History tells us this fossil fuel crisis will happen again and again." The geopolitical shocks will continue because of our dependence on exporting natural resources from the Middle Eastern countries. 

 Link

Wholesale prices rose 0.7% in February, much more than expected and up 3.4% annually

    The newest PPI data came in and the reading was hotter than expected. With the Core PPI was up 0.5% and wholesale prices rose by 0.7%. The market was expecting somewhere between 0.3% and 0.5% increase. A 2.4% increase in food prices boosted the Goods PPI sector along with energy PPI rising by 2.3%. A crazy stat from within the food index was fresh fruit and dry vegetables rose by 48.9%.

    Markets reacted by the DOW dropping by around 100 points and the FED decided to leave rates steady after seeing the hot PPI data. The PPI is a leading indicator in the economy and can be used to predict future inflation rates. I expect inflation to increase after we see the higher prices at the producer level be placed on the consumer. 

Overall, this new PPI data did not even factor in the new impacts from the war in Iran. I expect the PPI to stay hot in the next reading and scaring the economy/markets. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/18/ppi-inflation-february-2026.html

  

Rising Visitation in National Parks: A Growing Challenge

In recent years, U.S. national parks have experienced a steady increase in visitation, according to the National Park Service. This trend reflects a growing interest in outdoor recreation and a greater appreciation for nature, especially as more people choose to travel domestically. However, this rise in popularity has also introduced several challenges that raise concerns about sustainability and long-term preservation.

One of the most pressing issues is overcrowding in popular parks. High visitor numbers can lead to long wait times, limited access to certain areas, and a less enjoyable experience overall. Beyond convenience, the environmental impact is even more concerning. Increased foot traffic can damage trails, disrupt wildlife habitats, and place added stress on already fragile ecosystems.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing accessibility with conservation. While national parks are meant to be enjoyed by the public, they also require protection to ensure they remain intact for future generations. As a result, park officials have begun exploring solutions such as timed entry systems, visitor limits, and increased funding for maintenance and conservation efforts.

Overall, the rise in national park visitation is both encouraging and concerning. It shows that people value nature, but it also underscores the importance of responsible tourism and effective management. Moving forward, how these challenges are addressed will play a key role in preserving these natural spaces.

Source: 

National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov