On Monday, global financial markets show signs of a mixed start as the ongoing impasse over the Strait of Hormuz drives oil prices higher. U.S. equity futures indicate a tentative opening, with S&P 500 futures rising 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropping 0.14%, and Nasdaq futures up 0.14%. The standoff has led to a 1.4% increase in Brent crude, pushing its price to $84.68 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude advances by the same margin to reach $79.30 per barrel. Iran has maintained its stance that the U.S. must meet its demands before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and reports suggest a potential deal between Iran and Oman aimed at managing the strategic waterway may involve barring vessels linked to hostile nations. As negotiators edge closer to establishing a secure shipping route, there are indications that Iran could be seeking to maximize its returns from the U.S. Furthermore, this week's focus in the U.S. shifts towards inflation, with new data from July due midweek. The Labor Department is set to release its consumer price index on Wednesday, and economists anticipate a slight decrease from June levels. On Thursday, the U.S. will post July data on producer prices, or costs that precede consumer goods. In the domestic market, the energy sector is witnessing a concurrent surge with the rise in oil prices, with Marathon, Occidental, and Valero leading gains. Conversely, cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian, along with hotels and travel booking sites, are experiencing losses due to expected fuel price increases. Tech stocks are also on an upward trajectory following a weak jobs report last Friday that boosted the chances of the Federal Reserve deferring an interest rate hike at its next meeting. The fast-growth tech sector depends heavily on cheap credit access, and there have been expectations that the Fed was contemplating raising borrowing costs to combat inflation. Elsewhere in global markets, shares are generally higher in Europe and Asia, with Japan's Nikkei 225 leading advances. The U.S. dollar rose to 158.80 Japanese yen from 157.72 yen, while the euro fell to $1.1552 from $1.1561.