Rising oil prices linked to renewed US-Iran tensions have stoked inflation concerns and pushed up expectations for a US Federal Reserve rate hike. A firmer dollar and higher US Treasury yields added to the pressure, with COMEX gold futures settling about 1.5% lower at $4,408.90 an ounce. After climbing roughly 14% in August, the market has lifted the implied probability of a September hike to around 40%.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company is unlikely to pursue an initial public offering in 2026, pushing back against broader market expectations. He also urged stronger AI safety evaluations. The comments come as autonomous hacks and other cybersecurity incidents involving OpenAI programs continue to surface.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in an interview published on Sept 12 that the company will not go public in 2026, pointing to concerns about artificial intelligence safety. Earlier reporting had said OpenAI was weighing whether to delay a potentially trillion-dollar IPO until 2027. Altman’s comments take a 2026 listing off the table, as industry leaders increasingly emphasize safety in AI development.

ASX 200 energy shares rose 2.39% last week, bucking a 2.94% drop in the broader market to a 10-week low. Brent and WTI crude both jumped 12%, topping US$108 and US$103, while UK, German and broader European gas prices also climbed sharply. Concerns that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted — affecting about 20% of global oil and gas transport — helped fuel the surge in energy prices.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company will not go public in 2026, citing AI safety considerations. The decision comes as calls for tighter AI regulation intensify and experts warn about potential risks from the technology. Altman framed the move as part of a strategy to align safety measures with government-industry cooperation.

Average diesel prices in Virginia have moved above $6 a gallon, while average regular unleaded gasoline has risen past $4.12 a gallon. The increase has been driven by higher crude oil prices as tensions between the United States and Iran over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz escalate. Inflation has also inched up on higher energy and housing costs, and markets are expecting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company will not go public in 2026, arguing that an IPO would be poorly timed and that safety and compliance work must take priority. Markets had previously speculated that OpenAI could be valued at $1 trillion in a listing. He made the comments as global markets remain volatile, after the SpaceX IPO’s sharp post-listing swings and as renewed fighting involving Iran has pushed oil prices higher and lifted inflation forecasts.

Ethereum (ETH) climbed even as markets fretted about potential rate hikes, reaching its highest level since January. The move points to strong demand for ETH. It also suggests ETH’s price action has been less tied to expectations of tighter interest-rate policy, alongside a notable rebound in investor confidence.