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The Daily Briefing · Thursday, August 20, 2026
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Treasury Doubles Bond Buyback, Markets Rally
The Treasury will at least double long, end bond buyback operations from $2 billion to $4 billion per session, effective September 9 through November 4.
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Also today
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Global Bond Yields Hit Multi, Decade Peaks
US 30, year Treasury yield climbed to 5.33% on August 18, its highest since 2007, in a synchronized global bond market selloff spanning four developed economies.
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Trump Demands CLARITY Act at White House Crypto Summit
Trump urged Congress to pass a "fair version" of the CLARITY Act at an Aug. 19 White House gathering of senior crypto and finance executives.
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Rate Odds Tilt to September Hold as Warsh Eyes Inflation
CME FedWatch shows a 65.4% probability the Fed holds at 3.50%, 3.75% at the September 16 meeting, up from roughly 50% in late July.
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July FOMC Minutes Show Wider Rate Hike Support
The FOMC voted 9, 3 to hold rates at 3.50%, 3.75%; three regional Fed presidents dissented for a 25, basis, point increase.
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Fed Minutes, Walmart Results Land Amid Iran Risk
Fed held rates at 3.50%, 3.75% for a fifth straight meeting; fomc minutes detail hawkish dissent scope and AI, driven inflation risk.
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Cochlear Cuts Dividend 40% as FY26 Profit Declines
Cochlear's underlying FY26 net profit declined 22% to A$322M; statutory profit fell 62% to A$147.3M.
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More headlines
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Bank of Japan Eyes 1.5% Rate Path as Yen Slides to 159
USD/JPY sits at 159.08, near the 160 threshold that prompted Japan's last intervention cycle.
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Brookfield Lifts RWC Bid to A$7.75, Opens Exclusivity
Brookfield (BAM) lifted its RWC bid to A$7.75 a share after three successive rejections by the board.
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US Crude Tops $85 as Hormuz Crisis Enters Month Six
WTI rose 1.42% to settle at $86.15 a barrel on August 19, its fourth consecutive session of gains, as US President Trump confirmed no peace talks with Iran are underway.
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Tariff Paperwork Recoveries Reshape Retail Earnings
Retailers booking tariff refunds in Q2 2026 range from $30 million for mid, size chains to $994 million for Target (TGT), doubling that company's net earnings
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Memory Chips Selloff Drags Storage Sector Down 9%
SanDisk (SNDK) lost 9%, Marvell Technology (MRVL) 9%, Seagate Technology (STX) 8%, and Western Digital (WDC) 7% in a uniform sector rout on August 19
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Bond Yields Slam Stocks: S&P 500 Falls 0.6%, Nasdaq 1.3%
The 30, year U.S. Treasury yield climbed to 5.33%, its highest since 2007, as fiscal deficit concerns and sticky inflation fueled a synchronized global bond selloff.
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From the startup desk
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Video of the day
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Antimony
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The Daily Briefing from Pomegra. Market news, educational content only. Nothing here is investment advice.
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