New York’s stock exchange closed lower on Monday, 31 August, as investors retreated in response to renewed US strikes against Iran, rising interest rates, and surging oil prices.
The S&P 500 fell 0.33% to 7,686.14 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.70% to 53,185.90 points, and the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.12% to 26,370.89 points.
Crude oil prices surged sharply. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced between 2.5% and 3%, moving into the US$85.50–86.00 per barrel range, while Brent crude gained approximately 2.5% to 3.5%, approaching or exceeding US$90–91 per barrel. The rally was driven by renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The session was broadly defined by a combination of geopolitical risk in the Middle East — with a direct impact on energy markets — reinforced bets on higher interest rates, and pressure on US government debt, all of which weighed on equities despite the relative resilience of major indices over the month.
The sell-off in US Treasuries continued to push yields higher. The ten-year Treasury yield rose to the 4.75%–4.76% range, levels that represent approximately 19-month highs. The move reflects persistent inflation concerns — still being fuelled by energy costs — a more hawkish monetary policy stance at the Federal Reserve following recent comments by Chair Kevin Warsh, and elevated debt supply against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical uncertainty.
The euro strengthened against the US dollar, returning to the US$1.16 level, as expectations build for further interest rate increases in the United States and tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/01/mercados/bolsa-de-nova-iorque-fecha-em-queda-com-petroleo-a-subir/
