{
  "id": 6137443,
  "title": "Stocks dented by inflation risk from rising oil, dicey geopolitics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/stocks-dented-by-inflation-risk-from-rising-oil-dicey-geopolitics",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-07T11:33:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/07/stocks-dented-by-inflation-risk-from-rising-oil-dicey-geopolitics"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oil prices surged to record highs last week, reaching near 90% above pre-war levels, which has placed pressure on investor sentiment and sent stocks sliding ahead of important US inflation data. Rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and political uncertainty in Europe have kept investors cautious. Iran announced plans to restrict shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, following US strikes on Iranian tankers and missile attacks on US Navy ships. Brent crude futures rose 0.6% to $97 a barrel, the highest in seven weeks, while diesel prices hit record highs, around 90% higher than pre-war levels. Rising food and fuel costs are likely to prompt central banks to raise interest rates, with the European Central Bank expected to hike rates to 2.75% on Thursday, and a 75% chance of another hike by December. The Bank of Japan is also anticipated to raise rates by a quarter point at its meeting on September 18, with a 60% probability of further rate hikes by December. Central bank actions have supported asset prices and the credit cycle, but with central banks now taking action, markets are pricing in a 75% chance of a Federal Reserve rate hike at its September meeting and a 70% likelihood of another rate move in October. The euro has weakened against the US dollar, with the ECB's rate hike expectations and mounting political friction in Europe potentially hindering the currency's upward momentum. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has surged in popularity, threatening the stability of the euro. In France, far-right leader Marine Le Pen could win the first round of next year's presidential elections, further contributing to political shifts in Europe.",
  "summary": "Tehran plans to declare a restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran attacks, a move likely to push up oil prices.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}