The International Monetary Fund has flagged concerns the Middle East is sliding into recession, with the Iran conflict causing an economic slump across the region and sending energy costs up. Corporate outlooks have weakened in response to the spike in oil prices.

The IMF also cut its Romania forecast, projecting a 0.5% contraction in 2026 with inflation sitting at 8.2%. In Australia, the downturn is visible in the property market, where auction clearance rates have now fallen below 50% for two weeks running and house prices are declining across the country.