Markets Midday: Stocks Under Pressure, Jobless Claims Fall, 4-Year Milestone For LEI 8-20-2026

• Major Wall Street averages (Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq) are sliding today, with crude oil prices and Treasury yields both rising.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen announced intentions to increase buybacks of longer-dated Treasury securities to drive yields down.
• First-time jobless claims fell by 6,000 last week to 206,000, slightly below economists' expectations.
• The Conference Board's Index of Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) rose 0.2% last month, marking the first six-month positive period in four years.
• Walmart shares are down about 10% after reporting much lower than expected comparable store sales.

Wall Street's major averages are sliding today as crude oil prices and Treasury yields rise, following a day of market rallies and falling yields. This comes after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen announced increased buybacks of longer-dated Treasury securities. Mixed economic data shows jobless claims falling and the Conference Board's Leading Economic Indicators rising for six consecutive months, a four-year first. Walmart shares are down significantly after posting lower-than-expected comparable store sales.