Brent Crude Jumps Nearly 3% After U.S. Strike on Iran Revives Hormuz Supply Fears
Brent crude rallied sharply on Monday as renewed military confrontation between the United States and Iran revived concerns about oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent futures were trading around $88.69 per barrel, up $2.57, or 2.98%, in the snapshot above. Prices had climbed above $90 earlier in the session before giving back part of the advance.
A major catalyst was Sunday’s U.S. attack on Iran. U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known U.S. strikes on Iran since late July. Iran subsequently said it retaliated against U.S. air bases in Jordan, adding to fears that the conflict could escalate further. Visible commodity-vessel traffic fell to around five ships per day over the weekend, while a tanker was also reported struck by a projectile on Saturday. (reuters)
Monday’s rebound follows a drop of more than 4% last week, when expectations for improving Gulf oil flows reduced some of the geopolitical premium. The latest U.S.-Iran exchange has reversed part of that optimism.
Brent’s near-term direction is therefore likely to remain dominated by developments between Washington and Tehran and, crucially, whether the latest escalation further restricts shipping through Hormuz. Any significant deterioration in tanker traffic or Gulf exports could quickly push a larger geopolitical risk premium back into crude prices.
Gold Extends Losses, Falls Below $4,500 as Higher-Yield Expectations Weigh
Gold remained under pressure on Monday, extending Friday’s sharp decline as investors continued to digest a more hawkish Federal Reserve outlook.
December gold futures were trading at $4,493.70 per ounce, down $36.20, or 0.80%, after briefly falling toward $4,465 earlier in the session. Prices subsequently recovered part of the decline but remained below the psychologically important $4,500 level.
The weakness follows Friday’s selloff, when gold dropped 2.88% after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh emphasized that inflation remains too high and reinforced the Fed’s commitment to restoring price stability. The remarks pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher as markets reassessed the likelihood of further monetary tightening.
Higher Treasury yields are a significant headwind for bullion because they increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold. The prospect of tighter Fed policy can also support the U.S. dollar, adding further pressure on dollar-denominated precious metals.
Gold has now fallen from above $4,700 earlier last week to below $4,500, representing a substantial reversal in a matter of days. Near-term direction is likely to remain closely tied to movements in U.S. Treasury yields and incoming economic data as investors gauge whether the Fed will follow Warsh’s hawkish rhetoric with additional rate increases.
L3Harris and ARX Robotics Demonstrate Mobile Counter-Drone System
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and ARX Robotics UK demonstrated a new mobile counter-drone capability during the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence-Capstone 6.
The demonstration integrated L3Harris’ CORVUS-RAVEN counter-drone system with ARX Robotics’ remotely controlled GEREON uncrewed ground vehicle. The combination allows drone-detection sensors to be moved into forward or hazardous areas while keeping military personnel farther from potential threats.
CORVUS-RAVEN passively detects signals associated with drones, provides threat-bearing information and can also deliver electronic defeat capabilities. Its open architecture supports integration with command-and-control and battle-management systems.
For L3Harris, the demonstration highlights growing opportunities at the intersection of counter-drone technology, electronic warfare and autonomous ground systems. The companies said lessons from the exercise could support further integration of robotic platforms with counter-drone capabilities across future military missions.
BD Advances GalaFLEX LITE Trial for Breast Revision Surgery
Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) announced a key clinical milestone for its GalaFLEX LITE Scaffold, strengthening its push into advanced tissue regeneration.
The STANCE trial has now treated 274 patients across 33 U.S. sites, surpassing 50% of its maximum planned enrollment and triggering the study’s first interim analysis.
The randomized trial is evaluating whether GalaFLEX LITE can reduce recurrence of capsular contracture and implant malposition following breast revision surgery compared with conventional treatment.
Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications of implant-based breast surgery, with reported incidence of 10%–20% and recurrence after conventional revision procedures potentially reaching 54%.
The study is intended to generate clinical evidence supporting an FDA Premarket Approval application for a breast indication. GalaFLEX LITE uses BD’s bioabsorbable P4HB technology, which has more than a decade of clinical use in soft-tissue support applications.
For BD, a successful trial could expand GalaFLEX LITE into a sizable new indication within plastic and reconstructive surgery and strengthen the company's position in advanced tissue regeneration.
Uber Launches €41.50-a-Share Takeover Offer for Delivery Hero
Uber (NYSE: UBER) has formally launched its voluntary takeover offer for Delivery Hero after receiving approval from German regulator BaFin. The company is offering €41.50 in cash per share, representing a roughly 108% premium to Delivery Hero’s unaffected May 8 closing price. The acceptance period runs from August 27 through November 5, 2026.
The acquisition would significantly expand Uber’s global delivery footprint. The combined businesses would operate across 99 markets with pro-forma 2025 gross bookings of $236 billion, while the number of markets where Uber offers both mobility and delivery would nearly double from 34 to 58.
Uber already owns about 24.77% of Delivery Hero and has additional exposure through derivatives. Combined with an irrevocable commitment from Prosus covering roughly 16.68% of Delivery Hero shares, Uber’s total economic interest is approximately 53%. The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, with settlement expected in the second half of 2027.
Apollo and KKR Partner on Nearly $10 Billion Atlantic Aviation Investment
Apollo (NYSE: APO) and KKR (NYSE: KKR) announced a strategic partnership to support the continued expansion of Atlantic Aviation, valuing the private aviation infrastructure company at nearly $10 billion.
Under the transaction, Apollo-managed funds acquired a significant stake in Atlantic Aviation, while KKR will remain a substantial shareholder. KKR has backed the company since acquiring it in 2021.
Atlantic Aviation operates one of the largest U.S. networks of fixed-base operators, providing aircraft fueling, hangar leasing and other services to corporate and general aviation customers. The business benefits from long-term airport concession agreements and exposure to growing private aviation demand.
Since KKR's investment, Atlantic has expanded through acquisitions and organic growth in the U.S. and selected international markets. Apollo and KKR now plan to support further investment and expansion into new markets.
The transaction also highlights continued institutional demand for aviation infrastructure. Apollo has originated more than $155 billion of infrastructure transactions and financings over the past five years, while KKR manages more than $120 billion in infrastructure assets and has invested over $12 billion in aviation since 2015.
Abbott Wins CE Mark for Next-Generation Amulet 360 Stroke Prevention Device
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has received CE Mark approval for its next-generation Amulet 360 Left Atrial Appendage Occluder, allowing the company to begin expanding the device across Europe.
Amulet 360 is designed for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke, particularly those unable to remain on long-term blood-thinning medication. The minimally invasive device seals the left atrial appendage, where blood clots commonly form in AFib patients.
The approval was supported by the 400-patient VERITAS study. Amulet 360 was successfully implanted in 99.8% of patients, while 93.9% achieved complete closure after 45 days with no leaks larger than 3 mm. No strokes, blood clots or additional surgeries were reported during the first seven days.
The approval strengthens Abbott's cardiovascular device portfolio and marks its fourth major electrophysiology approval in just over a year. Initial European procedures have already been completed in Germany and Denmark, with a broader European rollout planned in the coming weeks.
Amulet 360 remains investigational and is not yet approved for commercial use in the U.S.
Amgen and AstraZeneca Report Positive Phase 3 TEZSPIRE Results in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and AstraZeneca reported positive Phase 3 results for TEZSPIRE in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), potentially opening another major indication for the drug.
In the CROSSING trial, TEZSPIRE achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across both co-primary endpoints — histologic remission and the frequency and severity of difficulty swallowing — at Week 24. The benefits were sustained through Week 52, while the safety profile remained generally consistent with TEZSPIRE’s currently approved indications.
The Phase 3 trial enrolled 368 adults and adolescents with symptomatic, active EoE and compared two TEZSPIRE doses with placebo. Full results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities.
The results are strategically important because EoE would represent a third epithelial-driven inflammatory disease in which TEZSPIRE has demonstrated efficacy. The drug is already approved for severe asthma and inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in several major markets.
Accenture to Acquire COMWARE to Expand AI and Digital Services in Japan
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Tokyo-based COMWARE, strengthening its push into Japan’s mid-market technology sector. Financial terms were not disclosed.
COMWARE provides end-to-end IT services and has particular expertise in SAP, CRM and enterprise systems. The company will add more than 180 professionals to Accenture and become part of Accenture Edge, the business launched in June 2026 to help mid-sized companies adopt AI and modernize their operations.
Expanding Accenture’s AI Strategy
The acquisition will strengthen Accenture’s ability to deliver AI-, data- and cloud-powered digital transformation services, particularly to Japanese manufacturers. COMWARE brings experience across discrete manufacturing, chemicals and food industries, along with more than 25 years as an SAP Japan partner.
For Accenture, the deal expands its local talent base and client relationships while supporting its strategy of using acquisitions to accelerate AI-driven digital transformation. The transaction also highlights growing demand among mid-market companies for modernization of core business systems as AI adoption accelerates.
