Stocks declined last week as global investors fretted about oil-supply-induced inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 2.05 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.85 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.40 percent.1,2 Bond Yields Up, Stocks Under PressureBond yields spiked at the start of the week, putting a squeeze on stock prices. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond hit a 19-year high. Markets continued their slide on Tuesday as investors fretted over inflation. Yields on bonds around the world rose to multi-decade highs.3,4 Stocks steadied, and bond yields fell midweek as investors responded to the Treasury Department’s announcement that it would buy back long-term debt to help stabilize interest rates. However, the Wednesday morning rally petered out as the session progressed into the afternoon.5,6 Stocks rebounded to finish a tough week on a positive note despite rising oil prices.7 |
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Source: YCharts.com, August 22, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. |
A Bee in the BonnetLast week, yields on bonds issued by sovereign governments around the world rose to multi-year highs, including in Japan and throughout Europe. Investors in these bonds decided they needed higher yields to compensate for ongoing global issues. As a result, the cost to borrow money went up. And because bond prices and yields move in opposite directions, the value of these bonds fell. The Treasury Department stepped in on Wednesday to say that it would double the size of its current repurchases of longer-term (10- to 30-year) Treasury debt. It’s uncertain how the move could influence markets.8 This Week: Key Economic DataTuesday: S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index. New Home Sales. Consumer Confidence (Conference Board). Wednesday: Durable Goods. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2nd estimate. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Trade Balance in Goods. Wholesale Inventories. Retail Inventories. Friday: Consumer Sentiment (U. Michigan). Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: August 21, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision. This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsTuesday: Intuit Inc. (INTU) Wednesday: Nvidia Corporation (NVDA), CrowdStrike (CRWD), Salesforce, Inc. (CRM), Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS) Thursday: Marvell Technology, Inc. (MRVL), Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) Source: Zacks, August 21, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice. |
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“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart |
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Journal with AI for Better Self-ReflectionTry keeping a long-running chat with AI where you regularly dictate journal entries, either daily or weekly. Over time, AI builds rich context about your goals and challenges, making it a powerful thinking partner. You can even ask: "Based on our conversations, how would future me solve this problem?" Tip adapted from creatoreconomy.so9 3 Stretches for Your Lower BackWe spend so much time sitting in our cars and at our desks that it's no wonder that our lower backs can become tight and even sore. These three lower back stretches will help improve your flexibility and recovery and may even help if you have lower back pain.
Tip adapted from Very Well Fit10 |
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Its body of stone shields a fiery heart. Under sufficient pressure, its head will depart. What is it? Last Week's Riddle: I never complain no matter where I am led; I go around in circles, yet move straight ahead. What am I? Answer: A wheel. |
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Santorini island, Greece |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, August 21, 2026 |
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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