The Iran war could soon mean higher prices on store shelves for consumers.

Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz passage has significantly disrupted the global supply chain, affecting goods from fertilizers to metals to gas and fuel. The passage is a critical point, funneling tens of millions of barrels of oil daily along with other exports as one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

And the tensions with the strait are showing no signs of changing. On Thursday, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said the closure should be continued as a “tool to pressure the enemy” in his first public statement since being appointed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday downplayed concerns about the strait, saying at a Pentagon press briefing, “We have been dealing with it, and don’t need to worry about it.”

Though it’s still early to determine what the exact impact on retail may be, Coresight Research President Max Kahn said the disruption to the global supply chain may already be pushing the industry near its limits.

“Retailers have become much better at building flexibility in their supply chains, and that got accelerated a lot last year with tariffs,” Kahn told CNBC. “The bigger worry is if this continues to last.”

Prices at the grocery store may be hit first, Kahn said, since food items tend to have less flexible supply chains, while apparel retailers can likely afford to slow production and bulk it up again later without disrupting inventory.

As retailers navigate the geopolitical landscape, Kahn said they’ll likely be facing two factors: input cost pressure and demand pressure.

“Retailers are going to have to play that,” he said. “One of the reasons how retail stayed resilient in 2022 and 2023 was they were able to raise prices, and that raising of prices sort of offset some weakening in units, so our sense would be that that could be very similar this time around.”

Retail hasn’t just been affected by shipping changes, either. Shipments of garments for Zara owner Inditex, along with other clothing retailers, were stranded last week as flights in the Middle East were canceled, according to Reuters.

Kahn said retailers’ potential struggles could have broader economic implications, too. Though companies have learned to be somewhat adaptable to the changing macroeconomic environment over the past few years, he noted that the overall growth for retail has been “so-so,” and while the industry continues to navigate the war, that uncertainty will also begin to affect GDP growth.

Still, as the chaos persists, Kahn said he expects value retailers like Walmart and Kroger and dollar stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree to have an easier time because shoppers will be looking for more value-priced items.

In addition to impacting the global supply chain, consumer confidence is already taking a hit from the war. Though Wednesday’s consumer price index came in as expected, industry experts have said higher gas prices will likely affect discretionary spending as consumers pull back to cover costs at the pump, affecting the retailers that may already be reeling from supply chain impacts.

In a Sunday note, Wolfe Research analysts wrote that discretionary-heavy retailers are likely to be among the largest losers from the war.

“Retailers with a bigger discretionary mix, like Five Below and Target, also face headwinds as consumer confidence comes under pressure and they mix down,” they wrote.

Still, some retailers may have other factors helping them out of the war fallout. Retailers that appeal to higher-income consumers or who have specialty offerings, like Costco, may be able to escape the squeeze.

“Costco should benefit as their price leadership on gas becomes more important, and consumers are more willing to wait 20+ minutes for gas,” the analysts added.

UBS analysts wrote in a Monday note that the war is adding uncertainty to an already weakened consumer dealing with the changing macroenvironment and the K-shaped economy, where those at the high end continue to do well while lower-income consumers struggle.

“The rise in oil prices should add a meaningful burden to household budgets and intensify strains already visible across the consumer landscape,” they wrote.

While some retailers like Ulta and Costco have historically seen same store sales increase alongside oil inflation, companies that serve lower-income shoppers like Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar General are likely to see sales decrease as consumers face budget restraints, the UBS analysts said.

“All in, the rise in oil prices could create a layered and persistent drag on consumer health,” they wrote. “It increases fixed household expenditures, puts upward pressure on grocery prices, reshapes retail traffic patterns and introduces operational challenges for retailers across multiple segments.”

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Limited after finding the company in violation of its stock brokers regulation.

In its investigation launched on June 17, 2025, the market watchdog found the brokerage lacking in compliance related to several stock brokers’ regulations. The inspection was conducted for the period between April 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024.

In a 42-page order, Sebi held that Anand Rathi failed in reporting technical glitches that occurred on May 21, 2024 within the stipulated time.

The company in its defence, said that it had intimated the exchanges about the glitch with an hour of the incident while submitting the preliminary report on the next day. However, it admitted the delay in the submission of Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

The order also noted that Anand Rathi breached the capacity utilization threshold limit by setting it at 85% & 95%, going beyond 70 % of installed capacity.

The brokerage firm was also found to be in violation of patch management norms.
Among other things, Anand Rathi violated provisions related to the password policy.Sebi also found that Anand Rathi did not have adequate data leakage prevention (DLP) systems in place during the inspection period, as required under Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations and National Stock Exchange of India guidelines.

Although the broker claimed it had earlier deployed a McAfee solution in 2020 and later implemented Zscaler, Sebi noted that the McAfee subscription had expired in December 2021 and there was no proof of renewal or active use during the inspection period. Evidence provided for the Zscaler system showed implementation only after the inspection.

Accordingly, SEBI concluded that the broker had violated data security provisions requiring deployment of tools to detect and prevent data leakage.

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

The 2026 World Baseball Classic knockout stage kicks off with a high-stakes quarterfinal matchup Friday as the powerhouse Dominican Republic faces a resilient South Korea team at loanDepot Park in Miami.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FS2 in the United States. The winner advances to Sunday’s semifinal to face the victor of the United States-Canada quarterfinal, while the loser is eliminated from contention for the championship.

The Dominican Republic enters as overwhelming favorites after dominating Pool D with a perfect 4-0 record, outscoring opponents by wide margins and showcasing explosive offense. Led by stars like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr., the D.R. lineup has been one of the tournament’s most feared, combining power hitting with disciplined plate appearances. They capped pool play with a 7-5 win over rival Venezuela on March 12, solidifying their status as a top contender to claim the nation’s first WBC title since 2013.

South Korea, finishing as Pool C runner-up with a 2-2 record, advanced via a complex tiebreaker scenario involving Australia and Chinese Taipei. The Koreans scraped through group play, highlighted by a 7-2 win over Australia that secured their spot. Their offense has been led by first baseman Bo Gyeong Moon, who paced the tournament with 11 RBI and a .538 average (7-for-13) through pool games, including two home runs and two doubles. Pitching has been a strength in spots, with relievers limiting damage despite some vulnerabilities.

This marks the first WBC meeting between the two nations, adding intrigue to the clash of styles. The Dominican Republic brings MLB-caliber star power and depth, while South Korea relies on disciplined fundamentals, strong starting pitching, and opportunistic hitting from a mix of KBO standouts and MLB contributors like Jung Hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants) and Hyeseong Kim (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Probable starters feature a veteran vs. rising star dynamic: left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu for South Korea against lefty Cristopher Sánchez for the Dominican Republic. Ryu, a former MLB All-Star with the Dodgers and Blue Jays, brings experience and command, though his recent form in international play will be tested against the D.R.’s potent lineup. Sánchez, emerging as a reliable arm for the Phillies, offers swing-and-miss stuff and ground-ball tendencies that could neutralize Korea’s contact-oriented approach.

Betting markets heavily favor the Dominican Republic, with opening lines listing them as -750 to -900 money-line favorites on major sportsbooks, while South Korea sits as a +500 to +550 underdog. The run line stands at D.R. -4.5 around -105 to -115, and totals hover at 9.5 to 10.5 runs, reflecting expectations for offensive fireworks from the Dominicans potentially offset by solid pitching duels.

Analysts point to the Dominican Republic’s multi-pronged attack as the deciding factor. Their pool performance included slugging outbursts, high walk totals, and lockdown relief work, making them look like the tournament’s most complete team. South Korea, while gritty and capable of upsets—evidenced by their near-miss against defending champion Japan—struggled with consistency in group play, particularly against stronger opponents.

Key storylines include the Dominican Republic’s quest to avenge past international disappointments and South Korea’s bid to reach the semifinals for the first time since their 2009 runner-up finish. Manager Albert Pujols, a baseball icon, has emphasized preparation and execution, while Korea’s staff highlights resilience and fundamentals in facing elite competition.

The venue, loanDepot Park, offers neutral conditions with potential for carry on fly balls, favoring power hitters like those in the D.R. lineup. Capacity crowds are expected, with passionate fans from both nations anticipated to create an electric atmosphere.

A Dominican victory would set up a high-profile semifinal, while a South Korean upset could spark one of the tournament’s biggest surprises and propel the underdog story forward. As the quarterfinals begin, this matchup encapsulates the WBC’s blend of star power, national pride, and unpredictable drama.

A new Emerson College Polling survey released March 11, 2026, shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell emerging as the frontrunner in California’s nonpartisan primary for governor, capturing 17% support among likely voters just three months before the June 2 election.

The poll, conducted March 7-9 in partnership with Inside California Politics and Nexstar, surveyed 1,000 likely voters and carries a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Swalwell’s lead marks a shift from earlier surveys where Republicans held stronger positions, reflecting growing consolidation among Democratic voters.

Trailing Swalwell are Republican commentator Steve Hilton at 13%, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco tied at 11% each, and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter at 8%. A significant 25% of likely voters remain undecided, underscoring the fluid state of the race in the nation’s most populous state.

“Rep. Swalwell’s support increased among Democratic voters in the past month from 23% to 27%, along with Tom Steyer, whose support among this group also increased from 12% to 16%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. The gains suggest Democrats are coalescing around familiar names as the field of more than a dozen candidates—nine Democrats and two Republicans—competes to advance the top two to the November general election under California’s top-two primary system.

The Emerson results align with a March 11 UC Berkeley Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research poll for Politico, which showed Hilton leading at 19%, followed by Steyer at 13%, Swalwell at 11%, and Bianco at 11%. That survey of 1,004 likely voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points and highlighted Hilton’s strength among independents and Republicans.

Earlier polling from the Public Policy Institute of California in late February painted a tighter picture, with five candidates in a virtual tie: Hilton (R) at 14%, Porter (D) at 13%, Bianco (R) at 12%, Swalwell (D) at roughly similar levels, and Steyer (D) close behind. PPIC’s February 3-11 survey of likely voters found about 10% undecided at that time, with satisfaction in the candidate field at around 60%.

The race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom has drawn national attention as California remains a Democratic stronghold, though Republicans have occasionally advanced to the general election in recent cycles. The top-two finishers advance regardless of party, setting up potential Democrat-vs.-Democrat or Democrat-vs.-Republican matchups in November.

Swalwell’s rise comes amid his emphasis on affordability, public safety, and progressive priorities, resonating in a state grappling with high housing costs, homelessness, and economic pressures. Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, appeals to conservative and independent voters frustrated with Sacramento’s direction, while Bianco leverages his law enforcement background on crime issues. Steyer brings environmental credentials and financial resources, and Porter maintains progressive appeal from her congressional tenure.

Undecided voters and low single-digit support for others—including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and several lesser-known contenders—suggest room for movement as campaigning intensifies. High-profile names like Mahan, backed by Silicon Valley donors, could see surges with increased visibility.

Broader voter sentiment from the PPIC survey showed majorities prioritizing candidates’ positions on affordability for both governor and congressional races. About seven in ten likely voters expressed interest in town halls and debates, while half said they were not closely following the race yet.

The June primary also features contests for other statewide offices, U.S. House seats, and the state Legislature, with Democrats favored in most congressional matchups per PPIC findings (62% to 36% over Republicans). The governor’s race dominates headlines, however, as the most high-stakes open contest in decades.

As the campaign heats up, fundraising reports, endorsements, and debate performances could reshape the field further. With significant undecided blocs and shifting Democratic consolidation, the race remains wide open heading toward the primary.