The bond market is sending CEOs a blunt message: Borrowing costs are going to go up Also: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Fortune · Aug 21
Global Market: Eurozone bond yields edge lower after turbulent week in global debt markets Eurozone bond yields eased Friday but remained set for weekly gains amid global bond-market stress, persistent inflation and fiscal concerns. Germany’s 10-year yield stood at 3.2445%. Rising oil prices and stronger ECB rate-hike expectations added pressure, with markets pricing over 90% odds of a September rate increase. The Economic Times · Aug 21
Bessent vows bigger buybacks after bond yields erased the US Treasury's relief rally Long-term US Treasury yields climbed back above where they stood before Wednesday's buyback announcement, wiping out the relief that move had briefly delivered, and prompting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to signal that Washington is ready to intervene even more aggressively. Euronews · Aug 21
Iran says Tehran must overcome 'unjust sanctions' as US ramps up economic pressure US Iran war news: Iran's parliament speaker urged planning to overcome "unjust sanctions" after new US measures. Scott Bessent announced the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran. Qalibaf linked economic development and security, accusing enemies of economic warfare. He stated that Muslim countries' resources are targeted by enemies. Stronger economic… The Economic Times · Aug 21
Iran-US war latest: Trump says Tehran not ready to make ‘right deal’ after threatening ‘Economic D-Day’ ‘The whole world acknowleges our victory,’ said Masoud Pezeshkian as the US threatened to impose the ‘toughest sanctions in history’ The Independent UK · Aug 21
Bessent’s bond market push struggles to bring down US borrowing costs US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s bond-buyback push has offered only limited relief, with long-term Treasury yields rising again. Investors remain focused on the wider pressures driving borrowing costs higher, including the growing fiscal deficit, heavy government debt issuance, persistent inflation and uncertainty over Federal Reserve policy. The Economic Times · Aug 21
US debt tops $40 trillion: Chris Wood flags the 5% trigger that could rattle stock market US public debt has crossed $40 trillion as its fiscal position worsens and Treasury yields move closer to levels that could threaten equities. Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood flagged a rise above 5% in the 10-year US Treasury yield as a key risk trigger, with the yield recently at 4.69%. The Economic Times · Aug 21
Trump warns of 'economic D-Day' against Iran, but Tehran is well acquainted with sanctions The Trump administration is intensifying economic pressure on Iran amid a protracted war. This strategy aims to force Tehran's capitulation on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened secondary sanctions on nations doing business with Iran. Experts debate whether this unprecedented economic campaign will… The Economic Times · Aug 21
US urges allies and China to join Iran economic pressure campaign The United States on Thursday urged allies and China to join its campaign to isolate Iran's economy, as President Donald Trump seeks to intensify pressure on Tehran amid a stalemate in the war and growing domestic criticism. France 24 · Aug 21
Dollar wobbles as investors balk at US Treasury's rescue efforts The dollar faced a decline on Friday, ending the week lower amid investor worries. Concerns arose over the U.S. Treasury's bond buyback, which many viewed as merely a stopgap. This situation heightened fears about government intervention affecting fiscal health. As a result, both the euro and sterling appreciated against the… The Economic Times · Aug 21
Gold steadies, heads for third straight weekly gain Gold prices maintained stability, closing in on a potential third consecutive weekly rise. The support came from a weaker dollar and Treasury measures aimed at reducing yields. Furthermore, a decrease in unemployment claims indicated a steady labor market, leading markets to expect that the Federal Reserve will likely hold interest… The Economic Times · Aug 21
US to impose ‘toughest sanctions in history’ on Iran, Scott Bessent says United States Treasury chief Scott Bessent announced unprecedented sanctions against Iran. These stringent measures aim to avoid significant new military operations. Oil prices surged following these threats of financial penalties. Iran condemned the sanctions as economic terrorism and vowed defiance. Details of the comprehensive sanctions package will be revealed next… The Economic Times · Aug 21
Bessent's Plan To Increase The Amount Spent On Buybacks Of U.S. Debt Didn't Reassure Investors. Stocks Dropped. Bessent said the accelerated buyback of government debt could be higher than the $4 billion announced on Wednesday. International Business Times · Aug 20
Why Treasury Secretary Bessent's moves to calm the bond market haven't worked so far Interest rates rebounded Thursday despite efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to put a lid on longer-term borrowing costs The Independent UK · Aug 20
The Independent UK · Aug 20 The US national debt has hit a record $40 trillion — how does this impact the average person ‘Federal debt is already raising the cost of living and choking out other spending and investment,’ said one policy expert
The Independent UK · Aug 20 Iran dismisses US economic threats, and other developments in the Middle East Iran has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of economic pain and isolation
Fortune · Aug 20 Scott Bessent on the national debt: 'There's nothing magic about the $40 trillion number' "We can grow our way out of that," the Treasury Secretary told CNBC on Thursday.
The Economic Times · Aug 20 US Treasury's Bessent says upsized bond buybacks could increase further US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has outlined a strategy to ramp up bond buybacks, aiming to enhance market liquidity and instill confidence in economic fundamentals. Simultaneously, a fiscal consolidation initiative is underway, targeting savings in the hundreds of billions. This year's deficit has been exacerbated by refunds of illegal tariffs,…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 US to impose ‘toughest sanctions in history’ on Iran; Scott Bessent bets on 'one-two punch' to cripple Iranian regime US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will impose the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, with details expected Monday, as the Trump administration seeks to intensify economic pressure on Tehran. Bessent also urged China to cooperate, citing its dependence on Gulf energy and warning against sustaining Iran’s economy.
The Independent UK · Aug 20 The Latest: The US national debt hits a record $40 trillion The United States’ debt has surpassed a record $40 trillion, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending
We Got This Covered · Aug 20 Donald Trump expertly plunges U.S. debt past $40 Trillion, then declares an ‘economic D-Day’ to crush already-struggling nemesis “This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.”
International Business Times · Aug 20 Bessent Doubles Down On Economic Pressure Against Iran, Says It Likely Means No 'Large-Scale Kinetic Restart' President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Washington will launch the "most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country."
International Business Times · Aug 20 Scott Bessent Ups The Ante With Accelerated Buybacks Of Treasury Bonds After Yields Rebound Bond yields rebounded on Thursday and erased the drop following Bessent's announcement on Wednesday.
Fortune · Aug 20 Bessent’s $4 billion bond plan is like ‘rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic given the U.S. national debt of $40 trillion,’ ING says Everything you need to know before you reach the office this morning.
Benzinga · Aug 20 Treasury Doubles Bond Buybacks to $4 Billion — Market Strategist Slams Scott Bessent, Says It’s ‘Debt Reshuffling, Not Debt Reduction’ as Yields Surge The U.S. Treasury doubled its debt buybacks to support the bond market as long-term yields rose, but investment firm Creative Planning‘s Chief Market Strategist Charlie Bilello said the move did not reduce the nation’s overall debt.