Personal Finance

The drop in oil prices following the US-Iran peace deal promises welcome relief for American households, whose budgets have been squeezed by elevated fuel costs and persistent inflation since the war began in late February. US crude tumbled nearly 5% toward $80 a barrel on news of the agreement, and economists expect lower energy prices to feed through to cheaper gasoline and easing inflation in the months ahead. The shift could also indirectly help borrowers, since cooler inflation reduces the upward pressure on the interest rates that govern mortgages, car loans, and credit-card balances.

International travel insurance adoption among Indian travellers rose 22% year-on-year in 2026, according to Policybazaar data, as flight disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and medical-cost concerns reshaped overseas travel decisions. The number of travellers buying coverage above $250,000 has roughly doubled, and trip cancellation ratios fell to 6.8% from 8.3% — evidence that Indians are travelling smarter rather than cancelling. Yet 82% of Indian outbound travellers still skip travel protection entirely, signalling enormous remaining growth headroom.

Australia's superannuation industry now boasts nine 'mega funds' each holding more than A$100 billion in assets, according to the 2026 KPMG Super Insights report, as the nation's retirement savings pool continues its long climb past A$4.5 trillion. APRA data for the March 2026 quarter shows APRA-regulated funds grew assets 8.7% over the year and self-managed funds 7%, with member contributions jumping 19.1% to A$66.3 billion. The growing scale concentrates enormous market power, even as benefit payments accelerate with the retiring baby-boomer generation.

International travel insurance adoption among Indian travelers rose 22% year-on-year in 2026, according to Policybazaar, as concerns over medical emergencies, flight disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and evacuation risks increasingly shape overseas travel decisions. The number of travelers buying coverage above $250,000 almost doubled. Yet a large protection gap persists, with roughly 82% of Indian outbound travelers still skipping travel protection. Destination patterns are also shifting sharply — Japan bookings rose 17% while UAE bookings fell more than 70%.