Daily Market Snapshot: August 25, 2026

Brought to you by your local Edward Jones financial advisors. Tuesday 8/25/2026 a.m. Markets open higher as oil, yields pull back – U.S. equity markets are higher in early trading on Tuesday, supported by a continued decline in bond yields. The 10-year Treasury yield has fallen to 4.66%, extending Monday's move lower and helping provide some relief to interest-rate-sensitive areas of the market. The technology and communications sectors are leading the advance, while energy stocks are underperforming on lower oil prices. International markets are also positive, with Asian equities finishing higher overnight and European shares advancing. In energy markets, WTI oil is down near $82 per barrel following a report that the U.S. plans to return diplomats to the Middle East. The U.S. dollar is weaking modestly against major currencies. Employment data shows firmer job growth – U.S. private employers added an average of 11,750 jobs per week for the four weeks ending August 8, up from 9,500 in the previous report, according to ADP. This is the second consecutive report showing a reversal of the decline from the recent peak in May. Additional data will be needed to determine whether hiring is stabilizing, but a continuation of the trend could help support near-full employment. The broader labor market appears to be roughly balanced, in our view. The unemployment rate remains contained at 4.1%, while 7.4 million job openings continue to exceed the 6.9 million unemployed workers. Together, these figures suggest that labor demand remains healthy, even as hiring has slowed from the pace earlier in the year. Continued employment and wage gains should help support household income and consumer spending, key pillars of the broader economy. Consumer confidence dips as expectations weaken – The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell for the second consecutive month in August, declining to 89.4 and coming in below the consensus forecast of 90.2. The details were mixed: consumers' assessment of current business and labor-market conditions rose by 6.8 points, reversing three consecutive months of decline. The short-term outlook for income, business and labor conditions fell by 5.8 points. Written responses indicate that concerns over the economy centered on prices and inflation, geopolitical tensions, trade, and jobs. The divergence between improving assessments of current conditions and a weaker outlook may suggest that consumers are more comfortable with their present circumstances but are becoming more cautious. While this trend could start to weigh on consumer spending, we believe the balanced labor market and further progress in bringing inflation down could help improve sentiment. 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.