Daily Market Snapshot: August 20, 2026

Brought to you by your local Edward Jones financial advisors. Thursday 8/20/2026 Markets open lower as bond yields rebound – U.S. equity markets are lower in early trading on Thursday as bond yields are reversing some of Wednesday's decline, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.69%. Consumer discretionary and consumer staples stocks are leading markets lower, while energy is outperforming, supported by the continued rise in oil prices. The combination of higher yields and weakness in consumer-oriented sectors suggests investors remain sensitive to interest-rate risk and the outlook for household spending, in our view. In international markets, Asia finished higher overnight, while Europe is trading mostly lower. In energy markets, WTI oil is extending its recent advance, currently near $87 per barrel amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. dollar is little changed against major currencies. Walmart headlines a busy week for retail earnings – Walmart reported mixed second-quarter results, with earnings falling short of expectations while revenue of $188 billion exceeded forecasts. The company's third-quarter outlook also missed estimates, weighing on its shares, which are down about 9% in early trading. Combined with other recent data, the stronger-than-expected sales figure provides further evidence that consumer spending remains resilient, in our view. With the unemployment rate contained at 4.1% and 7.4 million job openings still exceeding the 6.9 million unemployed workers, we expect the stable labor market to continue to provide growing income to help support spending and the broader economy. Leading economic index strengthens – The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.2% in July to 99.5, exceeding forecasts for a 0.1% increase. The index is designed to provide an early signal of potential turning points in the business cycle and the near-term direction of the economy. July's improvement was driven primarily by lower unemployment claims, higher housing permits, and a steeper yield curve. The index's six-month change turned positive for the first time in more than four years and is not currently signaling recession risk. Overall, we believe the data remain consistent with a resilient economy, as labor-market stability and improving housing indicators offset weak consumer expectations and softer manufacturing orders. Important information: This is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as specific investment advice. Investors should make investment decisions based on their unique investment objectives and financial situation. While the information is believed to be accurate, it is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. Investors should understand the risks involved in owning investments, including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. The value of investments fluctuates and investors can lose some or all of their principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Market indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly and are not meant to depict an actual investment. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Systematic investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Investors should consider their willingness to keep investing when share prices are declining. Dividends may be increased, decreased or eliminated at any time without notice. Special risks are inherent in international investing, including those related to currency fluctuations and foreign political and economic events. This section and content are designed for U.S. residents only. The services offered within this section are available exclusively through our U.S. financial advisors. Edward Jones' U.S. financial advisors may only conduct business with residents of the states for which they are properly registered. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state.