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On March 21, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying that it had launched a large-scale airstrike on multiple ballistic missile production facilities in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The statement said that, with intelligence support, the IDF struck dozens of facilities used by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the research and production of ballistic missile components, missile component storage facilities, and missile fuel-related facilities. The statement also said that the IDF would continue to expand its strikes against Iranian weapons production facilities.Iranian Embassy in India: Iranian President Pezechzian called on BRICS countries to play an independent role in stopping aggression against Iran.Iranian television: Police in West Azerbaijan province have arrested 25 suspected intelligence agents.On March 21, Bank of America discussed the outlook for the US dollar and maintained its medium-term bearish view. The bank stated, "Since the outbreak of the Iran war, the US dollar has unsurprisingly appreciated against other G10 currencies, although the overall appreciation has not been significant. Until the situation becomes clearer, oil prices and major risks will continue to dominate the foreign exchange market. Meanwhile, interest rate expectations have been raised in most G10 central banks, which has somewhat restrained the dollars appreciation," Bank of America noted. Bank of America further pointed out that although relative interest rates have not been the main driver of the foreign exchange market during this period, this situation may change as the impact of the war on the real economy gradually becomes apparent. "While we maintain our long-term bearish view on the US dollar, upside risks to the dollar are likely to dominate as the war continues," Bank of America added.The Israeli military claims to have attacked a ballistic missile production facility of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Tehran.

According to Australian Retailer Woolworths, Inflation Is Driving Home Dining

Haiden Holmes

Feb 22, 2023 14:10

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Woolworths Group Ltd, a leading Australian retailer, said that an inflation-driven move away from dining out aided in boosting sales, driving its shares higher after its half-year earnings above expectations despite cost challenges.


Since COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 prompted supermarket hoarding, Woolworths and its smaller competitor Coles Group (OTC:CLEGF) Ltd have witnessed significant fluctuations in Australian customer behavior. As lockdowns were lifted in 2021, and again in 2022, sales slowed as rising energy and labor costs pushed up shelf prices.


Woolworths said on Wednesday that cost-of-living constraints, including skyrocketing electricity prices and nine interest rate rises since May, are now beginning to benefit stores as consumers choose for in-home consumption.


Since the beginning of 2023, food sales have increased 6.5%, roughly in step with inflation, compared to just 2.4% in the six months leading up to the end of December, the business reported.


"The shift from eating in restaurants to eating at home has become more evident," said Chief Executive Brad Banducci to reporters.


He stated that a growing number of clients from all demographic groups are now preparing meals at home since eating out is becoming more expensive.


The company's net profit before significant items increased 14% to A$907 million ($622 million), above the Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$877 million. The majority of the increase was attributable to employee back pay linked to a prior salaries miscalculation.


Similar to Tuesday's announcement of Coles' interim results, Woolworths' profit increase was aided by a dramatic drop in COVID-19-related expenditures.


At midday, Woolworths shares were up 2%, compared to a 0.3% decline in the overall index, as analysts hailed the potential of profit margin expansion at a business vulnerable to rising supplier prices.


Phillip Kimber, a retail analyst at E&P Financial, wrote in a client note, "The momentum in the core Australian Food industry remains strong, with sales growth rates above expectations in early 2H23."


Woolworths declared an interim dividend of 46 Australian cents per share, up from 39 Australian cents per share the previous year.

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