Houthis seize key Red Sea positions as Saudi oil pipeline shuts — September 13, 2026

Top U.S. Stories

• The United States marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, including a commemoration at the Pentagon. Why it matters: the anniversary renewed attention on the attacks’ lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy and security.
• A court ruled that Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial; a pretrial conference is set for Oct. 23. Why it matters: prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, though Robinson is presumed innocent unless convicted.
• August Consumer Price Index data showed headline inflation up 0.4% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, with core inflation up 0.3% and 2.4%, respectively. Why it matters: it was the last major inflation print before next week’s Fed meeting and strengthened rate-hike expectations.
• U.S. stocks rebounded on Friday, Sept. 11, with the Dow up 509.19 points to 52,573.29, the S&P 500 up 65.28 points to 7,656.98, and the Nasdaq up 251.31 points to 26,333.04, as crude oil retreated from its recent highs.
• The Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting is set for Sept. 15-16. Markets put the chance of a quarter-point hike at about 85% after the CPI report, from the current 3.50%-3.75% target range.

Compass Insight

The thread running through today’s news is supply disruption feeding into inflation risk. Houthi forces have seized the port of Mokha and the island of Perim, increasing their ability to threaten shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, while Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline was shut as a precaution after multiple attacks. That one-two punch raises risks around oil transport, while European natural gas is near its highest levels since 2023. For readers, the near-term read-through is simple: higher energy costs tend to show up first at the gas pump and in utility bills, and they complicate the inflation picture the Fed has to weigh at next week’s meeting. In the short term, watch the Sept. 15-16 FOMC decision closely. Over the medium term, the key question is whether Red Sea and Gulf shipping risks stay elevated long enough to become a structural cost rather than a temporary spike. This is not investment advice, but energy, shipping, and utility sectors are worth watching given their direct exposure to these supply dynamics.

Markets

At Friday’s close, Brent was down 2.8% at $104.61, while WTI fell 2.4% to $100.05. Saturday was not a regular trading day, so those Sept. 11 settlements remain the latest closes; the Houthi advance and pipeline shutdown are risks for the next session, not a confirmed weekend price move. European gas benchmark TTF traded at €79.64 per megawatt-hour, near its highest since 2023, and the ECB raised its three key rates by 25 basis points. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1,259.61 points (-1.93%) to close at 64,011.34 on Sept. 11. The ECB-derived dollar-yen cross rate was 154.04 for that date.

Stocks in Focus

• Energy producers are drawing attention as crude oil prices stay elevated on Red Sea and Gulf supply risk.
• Shipping and tanker operators are in focus amid concerns over rerouting and higher insurance costs tied to Bab el-Mandeb strait tensions.
• European utilities and power generators are being watched as they compete with Asian buyers for alternative LNG cargoes amid the TTF price spike.

This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investment decisions are your own responsibility.