{"id":71379,"date":"2026-09-03T14:08:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:08:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:08:18","slug":"global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Energy and Housing Markets Face New Volatility Amid Geopolitical Shifts"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#Mortgage_Rates_Reach_Highest_Level_Since_July_2025\" >Mortgage Rates Reach Highest Level Since July 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#AI_Startup_Thinking_Machines_Lab_Targets_40_Billion_Valuation\" >AI Startup Thinking Machines Lab Targets $40 Billion Valuation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#Geopolitical_Tensions_Simmer_in_the_Strait_of_Hormuz\" >Geopolitical Tensions Simmer in the Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#Saudi_Arabia_Sets_October_Crude_Pricing\" >Saudi Arabia Sets October Crude Pricing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-energy-and-housing-markets-face-new-volatility-amid-geopolitical-shifts\/71379\/#Administration_Defends_Venezuela_Oil_Strategy\" >Administration Defends Venezuela Oil Strategy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>U.S. mortgage rates hit a 13-month high<\/strong>, with the 30-year fixed-rate average climbing to <strong>6.71%<\/strong> for the week of Sept. 3.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thinking Machines Lab<\/strong> is in negotiations to raise at least <strong>$1 billion<\/strong> at a <strong>$40 billion valuation<\/strong>, a slight retreat from previous $50 billion targets.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oman has rejected Iran&#39;s proposal<\/strong> to impose transit fees in the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, maintaining the waterway&#39;s status as an international passage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Saudi Arabia adjusted its October crude pricing<\/strong>, setting the Arab Light OSP to the U.S. at <strong>plus $4.60\/bbl<\/strong> over the ASCI benchmark.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vice President JD Vance<\/strong> defended the administration&#39;s Venezuela oil deal, asserting it will lower long-term energy costs for U.S. taxpayers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mortgage_Rates_Reach_Highest_Level_Since_July_2025\"><\/span>Mortgage Rates Reach Highest Level Since July 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The U.S. housing market faced fresh headwinds this week as Freddie Mac (<a href=\"\/stock\/FMCC\">FMCC<\/a>) reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged <strong>6.71%<\/strong>. This marks a steady climb from <strong>6.66%<\/strong> the prior week and represents the highest level seen since July 2025.<\/p>\n<p><em>Market analysts attribute the surge to &quot;bond market jitters&quot; and a rise in the 10-year Treasury yield.<\/em> Despite the higher borrowing costs, Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater noted that purchase demand has remained relatively stable as buyers adapt to the &quot;new normal&quot; of elevated rates.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"AI_Startup_Thinking_Machines_Lab_Targets_40_Billion_Valuation\"><\/span>AI Startup Thinking Machines Lab Targets $40 Billion Valuation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Thinking Machines Lab<\/strong>, the AI venture founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, is reportedly in talks to raise at least <strong>$1 billion<\/strong> in new funding. According to <em>The Information<\/em>, the round is expected to value the company at approximately <strong>$40 billion<\/strong>, with venture firm <strong>Accel<\/strong> likely to lead the investment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/NVDA\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"15\" title=\"stock: NVDA\">Nvidia<\/a> (<a href=\"\/stock\/NVDA\">NVDA<\/a>) has also held discussions regarding participation in the round. This proposed valuation is a notable step down from the <strong>$50 billion-plus<\/strong> figure the company explored late last year, reflecting a more disciplined environment for even the most high-profile AI startups.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_Tensions_Simmer_in_the_Strait_of_Hormuz\"><\/span>Geopolitical Tensions Simmer in the Strait of Hormuz<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a move that averts a potential escalation in maritime costs, <strong>Oman<\/strong> has quietly rejected <strong>Iran&#39;s<\/strong> pitch to jointly charge service fees for commercial ships transiting the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. The rejection follows claims from the <strong>IRGC<\/strong> that a deal had been reached to monetize the strategic chokepoint.<\/p>\n<p><em>The refusal by Muscat preserves the legal status of the strait as an international waterway.<\/em> This development is critical for global energy security, as the passage handles roughly one-fifth of the world&#39;s daily oil consumption.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Saudi_Arabia_Sets_October_Crude_Pricing\"><\/span>Saudi Arabia Sets October Crude Pricing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Saudi Aramco<\/strong> released its official selling prices (OSPs) for October, signaling its strategy for the coming month. The kingdom set its flagship <strong>Arab Light<\/strong> crude at <strong>plus $4.60\/bbl<\/strong> versus the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI) for U.S. customers.<\/p>\n<p>For Northwest Europe, the price was set at <strong>minus $2.15\/bbl<\/strong> versus the ICE Brent settlement. These pricing adjustments are closely watched by global refiners as indicators of Saudi Arabia&#39;s expectations for regional demand and market share.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Administration_Defends_Venezuela_Oil_Strategy\"><\/span>Administration Defends Venezuela Oil Strategy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Vice President <strong>JD Vance<\/strong> addressed the administration&#39;s recent oil deal with <strong>Venezuela<\/strong>, claiming it represents a &quot;win&quot; for U.S. taxpayers. Vance stated that the administration is &quot;doing everything we can to bring down prices,&quot; while acknowledging that the current &quot;inflation problem wasn&#39;t created in a day.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>The deal aims to leverage Venezuelan reserves to stabilize global supply. However, critics continue to question the timeline for when these barrels will impact domestic gas prices, given the significant infrastructure repairs required in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways U.S. mortgage rates hit a 13-month high, with the 30-year fixed-rate average climbing to 6.71% for the week 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