US stocks traded higher through midday, with the S&P 500 up +0.69% and the Nasdaq gaining +0.73%, as risk appetite firmed ahead of Nvidia's earnings. Gold jumped on bond-market jitters, and Bitcoin extended a sharp weekly advance.
AUGUST 21ST, 2026
Nvidia has partnered with six major financial institutions to launch compute financing platforms. These platforms aim to mobilize over $500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure, helping customers finance the acquisition of Nvidia hardware and the buildout of data centers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated the company has the option to backstop up to 25% of individual deals.
Read moreThe total US rig count has fallen to 588, according to Baker Hughes data. This represents a decrease from the prior count of 593 active rigs.
Read moreBroadcom's upcoming debt deal is now anticipated to exceed $70 billion, according to sources. This substantial financing is expected to support the company's acquisition strategy. Investors await details regarding the structure and terms of this debt issuance.
Read moreA significant shock to global refining capacity is tightening fuel supplies. This disruption is expected to exert upward pressure on oil prices. The situation warrants monitoring by traders in both crude oil and refined product markets.
Read moreUS refiners anticipate a substantial reduction in crude oil supply from their primary foreign supplier. This supply cut occurs amid strong oil demand, potentially affecting crude oil prices and refinery operations.
Read moreIndian energy companies are paying some of the highest prices in years for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the spot market. Supply disruptions stemming from the Iran war are driving these increased costs. This situation points to strong demand for LNG coupled with ongoing supply constraints.
Read moreThe probability of Bitcoin reaching $90,000 by year-end has risen from 12% to 48% in three days. This increase follows the cryptocurrency market's seventh-largest 24-hour liquidation event on record. The rapid change in odds points to heightened volatility and potential for significant price movement.
Read moreChinese chipmaker YMTC plans to raise 33 billion yuan, or $4.9 billion, through an initial public offering in Shanghai. This move follows a significant share sale by competitor CXMT Corp. The IPO is expected to increase investment and competition within the semiconductor market.
Read moreGeopolitical tensions and uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz are contributing to an inflation premium in financial markets. The 5-year, 5-year US inflation swap forward is currently near its May peak. This rise occurs despite a recent decline in headline inflation figures.
Read moreUS crypto stocks posted significant gains over the past 48 hours. Coinbase (COIN) rose 30%, while MicroStrategy (MSTR) increased by 28%. Marathon Digital (MARA) saw a 33% gain. This broad rally indicates renewed investor interest in the cryptocurrency market.
Read moreRussian Urals crude is now trading at a premium to Brent crude for delivery in India. This marks the first time Urals has commanded a premium over the international benchmark in the Indian market. Traders report Urals selling at a $4-5 per barrel premium to Brent for March and early April deliveries to Indian ports.
Read moreUS natural gas prices increased today as hotter weather forecasts across the country are expected to boost demand. Anticipated power generation needs in Texas also contributed to the price rise. This news directly impacts natural gas futures.
Read moreThe US S&P Manufacturing and Services PMI preliminary report for August has been released. This data offers an early look at economic activity across both the manufacturing and services sectors. The report provides key information on inflation and economic growth trends.
Read moreThe U.S. S&P Global August Flash Composite PMI rose to 56.0, an increase from 54.5 in July. The Services PMI also climbed to 56.8, surpassing the forecasted 54.0. However, the Manufacturing PMI registered 53.2, which was slightly below the 53.9 forecast.
Read moreBitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded over $1 billion in net inflows in the last two days, with $606 million on Thursday alone. This brings the total four-day inflows to $1.61 billion. Bitcoin briefly surpassed $79,000 overnight and was recently trading near $76,900, up 5.8%.
Read moreCloverleaf Infrastructure has partnered with NVIDIA to deploy the NVIDIA DSX platform at AI sites. This collaboration aims to expand NVIDIA's presence in the artificial intelligence infrastructure market.
Read moreA teen has dropped social media addiction claims against Meta, Google, and Snap, ahead of an October trial. This development removes a potential legal challenge for the tech giants. The lawsuit could have resulted in significant financial and operational impacts.
Read moreApple has paid 17 billion dollars in back taxes to Ireland. This payment follows a court ruling and resolves a long-standing dispute regarding the company's tax arrangements in the country. The substantial payment could impact Apple's cash reserves and financial planning.
Read moreNvidia plans to invest several hundred million dollars in Cloverleaf, a data center power developer. This investment signals Nvidia's strategic expansion into the infrastructure supporting its core AI chip business, aiming to enhance its ecosystem and future growth prospects.
Read moreNvidia is reportedly in advanced discussions to invest several hundred million dollars in Cloverleaf Infrastructure. Cloverleaf, a data-center power developer, specializes in securing reliable electricity and land for data centers, with over 10 gigawatts in its development pipeline. This potential investment would support Nvidia's expansion in AI infrastructure.
Read more
