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US Equity Markets End Lower Amid Rise in Crude Oil Prices Following Trump's Threat to Attack Oman

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US equity indexes ended lower Monday after crude oil prices rose following President Donald Trump's threat to attack Oman as the deadline to reach a permanent peace deal with Iran expired.

* Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran had reached an agreement with Oman regarding future shipping routes in the strait, according to a CBS report. Trump threatened to bomb Oman if the country "gets in the way" of US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war with Iran, CBS cited Fox News.

* The National Association of Home Builders' monthly housing market index rose to 35 in August from 34 in July and 32 a year earlier, compared with expectations for a decline to 33 in a Bloomberg-compiled poll.

* September West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $2.04 to settle at $84.46 per barrel, while October Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $2.16 at $90.68.

* Situational Awareness increased its stakes in Micron Technology (MU) and Sandisk (SNDK) in Q2, according to regulatory filings published Friday. Sandisk shares were about 8.8% higher, the top gainer on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, while Micron Technology stock was up more than 4.1%.

* Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) exited its position in Constellation Brands (STZ), while increasing its stake in Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), according to a filing on Friday. Constellation Brands' stock fell about 6.1%, among the worst performers on the S&P 500.

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