美国副总统万斯：美国在对伊朗的政策上有很多工具可用。

Freddie Mac said the average U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.67% from 6.69% a week earlier, ending five consecutive weekly rises but remaining at its highest level in over a year. Data show the U.S. labor market cooling and July price gains slowing for a second month, with energy, gasoline and food down MoM and core inflation measures at five-year lows; markets cut the odds of a 25bp Fed hike in September to 38% from 48%. Stalled negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz keep upside risk to oil prices, while high rates and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on housing demand: U.S. July existing home sales fell 4.1% from June to the weakest level in nearly two years.

S&P/ASX 200 opened down 23.5 points (-0.26%) at 9,185.90 on Aug. 13 (Thursday).