Economy

Dollar opens falling, with an eye on the rise in oil and waiting for the Fed minutes

By 365 Breaking News Editorial Team August 19, 2026 at 08:00 4 min read

365 Summary

Worsening tensions in the Middle East bring another bullish day for oil. This Wednesday, the "Financial Times" stated that Iran is considering attacking US military targets in Europe if the war between them escalates further.

The scenario once again brings uncertainty about the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the effects of the conflict on global inflation.
At around 8:45 am, a barrel of Brent, an international reference, rose 0.68%, quoted at US$ 91.64, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI), a reference in the USA, rose 0.80% at the same time,...

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Understand what makes the price of the dollar rise or fall The dollar opened this Wednesday's session (19) in decline, with a decline of 0.24% close to 9 am, quoted at R$5.2081. Ibovespa trading, the main index on the Brazilian stock exchange, begins at 10am. ?? Do you have any reporting suggestions? Send it to g1 ?? Worsening tensions in the Middle East bring another bullish day for oil. This Wednesday, the "Financial Times" stated that Iran is considering attacking US military targets in Europe if the war between them escalates further. The scenario once again brings uncertainty about the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the effects of the conflict on global inflation. At around 8:45 am, a barrel of Brent, an international reference, rose 0.68%, quoted at US$ 91.64, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI), a reference in the USA, rose 0.80% at the same time, at US$ 85.62. ?? On the economic agenda, attention is on the new minutes of the Federal Reserve (Fed, the American central bank). The expectation is that the document will provide indications on how the institution's directors have seen the US economy and what the signs are for the future of interest rates in the country. ?? In Brazil, the political and electoral scenario is also on the radar. The focus is on the advancement of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that ends the 6x1 scale in the Senate. For some investors, the possibility of this process could favor Lula's campaign and increase concerns about public spending in a possible new term. See below for more details on the day at the market. ?Dollar

a Accumulated for the week: +0.04%; Accumulated for the month: +3.00%; Accumulated for the year: --4.87%. ?Ibovespa

Accumulated for the week: -0.36%; Accumulated for the month: -6.55%; Accumulated for the year: +3.79%. Oil is once again in the spotlight The international oil market is once again in the spotlight. This Wednesday, the British newspaper Financial Times stated that Iran is considering attacking US military targets in Europe if the war between them escalates further. One of the potential targets would be the Bulgarian Bezmer air base, which since last month has been used by US Army aircraft for refueling; Another facility that could be targeted is a British air base in Cyprus that was previously attacked by an Iranian drone in March. Furthermore, the Iranian regime has also considered the possibility of attacking submarine fiber optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz if this new escalation occurs, according to the FT. Such attacks, if carried out, would serve to increase the risks and consequences of the conflict for the US, Iranian sources told the newspaper. In recent weeks, American President Donald Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory — something unfeasible and prohibited under international law — and to bomb ally Oman if the country reaches an agreement with Iran on the control of commercial shipping in the sea. Tehran, in turn, which said it was close to concluding the agreement with Oman, raised its tone by imposing an ultimatum on the US and stating that it would take a more offensive stance in the war if negotiations with the White House to end the conflict fail. Tensions are once again raising concerns about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which around 20% of all global oil trade passed before the war, and its effects on inflation and energy supply around the world. READ MORE What is the Strait of Hormuz, essential for world oil How long can Iran sustain war with the USA and Israel? Global stock markets In Asia, Chinese shares closed lower, with a massive sell-off in chip and robotics shares amid concerns about the economy and after lower-than-expected corporate results. The CSI 300, which brings together the largest companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzen, fell 2.9%, while the Shanghai index, the SSEC, fell 2.4%. Among the other indices in the region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.09% and Japan's Nikkei lost 3.16%. South Korea's Kospi fell 5.80%. * With information from the Reuters news agency. Dollar bills. Dado Ruvic/ Reuters