Asian stocks are poised for gains, while oil prices saw an uptick on Monday, September 7, 2026, driven by renewed concerns that escalating tensions between the US and Iran could disrupt crude supplies and intensify inflation. Equity-index futures for Japan and South Korea indicated a positive open, while Australian futures remained steady. Contracts for US stocks showed little change after the S&P 500 fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq 100 advanced 0.2% on Friday.
The dollar traded within a narrow range against major currencies, and cash trading in Treasuries was closed on Monday for a US public holiday. The rise in oil prices is a significant factor contributing to inflation worries, particularly given the ongoing geopolitical situation.
According to a separate report, Brent crude, the international standard, rose 0.8% to settle at $96.28 a barrel, while benchmark US crude increased 0.2% to settle at $91.48 a barrel. Both crude benchmarks were up significantly for the week, with Brent rising 9.2% and US crude rising 9.7%. This increase in oil prices is directly linked to the Middle East tensions and concerns about supply disruptions, which in turn could impact global inflation rates.
