Former President Donald Trump asserts that the U.S. is holding back from full engagement in a potential conflict with Iran, citing upcoming elections as the primary factor. He indicated that any escalation would likely be resolved swiftly after the November congressional elections, potentially even prior to that.

The Central Bank of Russia is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate at 14% in today’s meeting, according to a consensus among investment firms. A potential 0.25% cut remains under consideration, monitoring suggests.

The Pentagon is set to extend a $5 billion loan to AI startup Fluidstack, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) remains at a pivotal level.

iPhone users may face restrictions on 5G access depending on Apple's decisions, while Android users will retain full access to 5G networks.

Diesel prices in the United States have surpassed the $6 per gallon threshold, according to major media reports, signaling a notable increase ahead of the upcoming Congressional midterm elections. The surge presents a political challenge for the current administration, which may need to address the rising fuel costs as part of its broader geopolitical and economic strategies.

Aeroflot Group's passenger traffic for the first eight months of 2026 declined 0.1% to 37.4 million, according to a report. In August, passenger flow decreased 1.3% year-on-year amid flight restrictions.

Shareholders of DIASOFT have approved dividends of 16 rubles per share for the first half of 2026. The cutoff date is September 21.

VK has substantially lowered its debt levels, reducing net debt by over threefold in the past 18 months. As of the first half of 2026, the company's Net Debt/EBITDA ratio reached 2.3x, signaling improved financial stability. VK's goal is to keep this ratio within a medium-term target range of 2 to 3 times. Further details are available on the company's investor relations website.

Saudi Arabia has not issued an official statement confirming damage to the "East-West" oil pipeline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit to discuss bilateral relations and global issues.

Bank of America warns of "excessive calm" in markets amid mounting risks. The bank's analysis, incorporating data from BofA/EPFR, shows $14.2 billion withdrawn from U.S. equity funds over the past three weeks, the largest since January 2026. Rising Treasury yields, oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel, and record diesel price increases contribute to a fragile environment. Bank of America cites investor complacency and a lack of decisive government intervention as factors that could trigger heightened market volatility.

VK has significantly lowered its debt levels over the past 18 months, with net debt more than tripling in reduction. As of the end of the first half of 2026, the company's Net Debt/EBITDA ratio was 2.3x, reflecting a stable financial position. VK plans to sustain its Net Debt/EBITDA ratio within the medium-term target range of 2 to 3x. Further details are available on the company's website.

The United States is scheduled to release August Consumer Price Index data at 15:30 Moscow time.

Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Central Bank of Russia, said there is less scope for easing the country's key interest rate than initially expected in the first half of the year.

Russian Central Bank to Sell Gold in 2026, Citing Past Acquisitions and Ministry of Finance Operations

Elvira Nabiullina explained that the Russian Central Bank's decision to sell gold in 2026 follows years of previous accumulation when other central banks were not net buyers. She noted that the current sales are primarily associated with transactions conducted by the Ministry of Finance.

Trump's chief economic advisor Hassett raises concerns over rising diesel prices, citing it as the administration's top issue.

The Canadian regulator has announced that tokenized deposits will be granted the same legal standing as traditional deposits.

.

Element has begun production of power modules for electric vehicle charging stations and power supplies for servers, according to a company statement.

Trading on the Moscow Exchange will be suspended on September 12-13, according to an official announcement.