Weekly Market Roundup: Stocks, Forex, Commodities, Ags & Crypto – Full Review for Aug 24-28, 2026
Weekly Market Roundup: Stocks, Forex, Commodities, Ags & Crypto – Full Review for Aug 24-28, 2026
Wall Street Weekly Review: Nvidia’s AI Boom Battles Bond Yields & Fed Policy (Aug 24-28, 2026)
U.S. stock market analysis: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 performance, plus Nvidia earnings, Jackson Hole, and Treasury bond buybacks.
The week of August 24-28, 2026, delivered a classic Wall Street split-screen moment. On one side, artificial intelligence darling Nvidia delivered earnings that reaffirmed the AI revolution. On the other, surging bond yields and a brewing policy clash between the Treasury and Federal Reserve kept investors on edge.
The result? A mixed weekly performance where tech stocks rebounded, small-caps stumbled, and the broader market eked out modest gains.
Major Index Performance: Tech Wins, Small Caps Lose
Here’s how the four major U.S. stock indices performed for the week ending August 28, 2026:
| Index | Weekly Change | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | +0.5% | Steady blue-chip gains amid yield volatility |
| S&P 500 | +0.5% | Broad market held firm, but gains were narrow |
| Nasdaq Composite | +0.8% | Tech-led rebound fueled by Nvidia’s earnings |
| Russell 2000 | -1.5% | Small caps suffered as rising yields hit debt-heavy firms |
Nvidia Earnings: The AI Catalyst That Rescued Tech
The week’s biggest headline belonged to Nvidia (NVDA) . After seven consecutive sessions in the red, the chipmaker reported fiscal second-quarter results that silenced skeptics.
Nvidia Q2 2026 Earnings Highlights:
- Revenue: $96.2 billion, beating estimates of $92.2 billion
- Data Center Revenue: $89 billion, up 117% year-over-year
- Q3 Guidance: $108 billion, exceeding Wall Street forecasts
“AI has reached its inflection point,” said CEO Jensen Huang. “Compute is now revenue.”
Stock Reaction: Nvidia shares initially dipped in after-hours trading—a classic “sell the news” reaction—but surged nearly 9% the following session, lifting the entire semiconductor sector. Rivals Broadcom (AVGO) gained 4.49%, and Intel (INTC) rose 4.36%.
Why This Matters for Investors: Nvidia’s results confirm that enterprise AI spending remains robust despite macroeconomic uncertainty. For traders, the stock’s recovery from a 7-day losing streak signals strong support at current levels.
The Fed vs. Treasury: A Policy Clash Unfolds
While Nvidia dominated the earnings calendar, two macro events shaped the broader market narrative:
1. The “Bessent Put” – Treasury Bond Buybacks
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a plan to double monthly long-term bond buybacks to at least $4 billion. The goal: tame the surge in 30-year Treasury yields, which had hit 5.33% – their highest level in 19 years.
Market Impact: While the move aimed to ease financial conditions, it created a policy conflict with the Federal Reserve, which had viewed high yields as a natural brake on inflation.
2. Jackson Hole Symposium – Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Speaks
All eyes were on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s August 28 keynote address. His challenge: balancing inflation concerns against the Treasury’s bond-market intervention.
The Data Backdrop:
- Headline PCE Inflation: 3.7% (annual)
- Core PCE Inflation: 3.3%
- Fed Rate Expectations: Money markets fully priced in another rate hike by December
Takeaway: Warsh offered little new clarity, leaving markets uncertain about the Fed’s next move. The tension between easing financial conditions (via buybacks) and fighting inflation (via higher rates) remains unresolved.
Russell 2000 Slumps: Why Small Caps Suffered
Three Reasons Small Caps Struggled:
- Rising Long-Term Yields: Higher borrowing costs hurt smaller firms with variable-rate debt.
- Narrow Market Rally: Only the technology sector advanced on Nvidia’s day—consumer discretionary, industrials, and real estate sold off.
- Risk-Off Rotation: Investors favored mega-cap tech over cyclical small-caps amid policy uncertainty.
Historical Context: Despite the weekly drop, the Russell 2000 is still up 19.8% year-to-date – a strong performance that reflects earlier confidence in a “soft landing” scenario.
Sector Performance: Tech Wins, Cyclicals Lose
The narrow nature of the rally was evident on August 27, when Nvidia’s surge failed to lift other sectors:
| Sector | Reaction to Nvidia Rally |
|---|---|
| Technology | Strong gains – AI trade revived |
| Consumer Discretionary | Sold off |
| Industrials | Lost ground |
| Real Estate | Declined on yield fears |
Key Insight: A healthy bull market requires broad participation. The fact that only tech advanced suggests underlying fragility—a point worth watching for September.
What to Watch Next Week
As we close out August and enter September—historically the worst month for stocks—investors face several unanswered questions:
1. Can the AI Rally Broaden?
Nvidia’s results were stellar, but the market needs other sectors to participate for sustainable upside.
2. Will the Fed Hike in December?
With PCE inflation still above 3%, another rate hike remains on the table. The Fed’s next meeting will be closely scrutinized.
3. How Will Treasury Buybacks Affect Yields?
The “Bessent Put” could cap yields, but its effectiveness remains unproven—and it may complicate the Fed’s inflation fight.
4. Small-Cap Rebound?
If yields stabilize, the Russell 2000 could recover. But if rates keep climbing, more pain lies ahead.
Final Takeaway for Investors
The week of August 24-28 showcased the duality of today’s market:
- Bullish Signal: Nvidia’s earnings confirm AI spending is real and growing.
- Bearish Signal: Rising yields and policy confusion could derail the broader rally.
For now, the Nasdaq’s tech-heavy resilience appears intact, but the Russell 2000’s weakness is a yellow flag. Until the Fed-Treasury policy clash resolves, expect continued volatility.
Weekly Forex Review: Dollar Finds Its Footing as Euro Rally Pauses (Aug 24-28, 2026)
U.S. Dollar Index bounces from three-month lows as geopolitical tensions and Treasury policy shift the FX landscape. Euro, Pound, Yen, Yuan, and Rupee react.
The final full week of August delivered a nuanced picture in global currency markets. After weeks of broad-based dollar weakness, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) staged a modest recovery, snapping back from its lowest levels since mid-May. The index closed the week at 99.16, a gain of 0.41 points from the prior Friday’s close of 98.75 .
However, the rebound was not uniform. The dollar’s gains reflected a tug-of-war between safe-haven flows and renewed euro strength, with each major currency carving its own path based on domestic catalysts and central bank expectations.
🇺🇸 U.S. Dollar (USD): A Recovery Built on Geopolitics and Yield Policy
The dollar began the week near 98.55, a three-month low hit on August 22 . It subsequently mounted a comeback, closing at roughly 98.80-99.16 depending on the index .
Three factors fueled the greenback’s recovery:
1. Geopolitical Safe-Haven Demand
Washington imposed new tariffs on Canadian imports and escalated secondary sanctions against Iran, aiming to “cut off all economic lifelines” to Tehran . These moves triggered risk-off sentiment, driving investors toward the dollar as a safe haven . This theme was also noted in valuation analysis, where the USD’s overvaluation expanded following a rebound in oil prices and resumption of US-Iran hostilities .
2. Treasury Bond Buyback Program
The “Bessent Put” remained a dominant theme. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s plan to double long-term bond buybacks helped stabilize yields and, counterintuitively, gave the dollar a lift . Reports suggested the Treasury could tap nearly $1 trillion in cash at the Federal Reserve to fund the program rather than issuing new short-term debt .
3. Fed Policy Uncertainty
The Jackson Hole Symposium kept markets on edge. With the Federal Reserve’s July meeting showing a 9-3 split on rates and ongoing tensions over Fed independence, traders lacked clarity on the next policy move . This uncertainty capped the dollar’s upside as the week progressed .
Dollar Valuation Note: According to DBS Vickers’ August DEER strategy analysis, the USD is currently considered overvalued alongside the AUD, CHF, GBP, and EUR .
🇪🇺 Euro (EUR): Holding Near Three-Month Highs
The euro remained resilient against the dollar, trading near 1.1684-1.1710 during the week . It had earlier touched three-month highs around 1.1710, supported by the European Central Bank’s hawkish stance and stronger-than-expected Eurozone business activity .
Key Euro Drivers:
- ECB Hawkishness: Persistent inflation risks, partly fueled by Middle East conflicts, reinforced expectations that the ECB is not done raising rates .
- Economic Resilience: Eurozone business activity recorded its fastest growth since the start of the year, providing a solid foundation for the currency .
Exchange Rate Snapshot (EUR/USD): Based on Banque de France data, the euro traded at approximately $1.1664** on August 24, dipping slightly to **$1.1643 by August 28 .
While the euro remains overvalued per DEER modeling, its overvaluation has eased somewhat as European industry is weighed by higher energy prices .
🇬🇧 British Pound (GBP): Steady Above $1.36
The pound held its ground, trading around **$1.3640** against the dollar . Sterling had gained strong momentum on the back of general dollar weakness, with support now established near $1.3540 .
Exchange Rate Snapshot (GBP/USD): The pound moved from 0.8555 to 0.8572 per euro, indicating slight strength against the common currency, while the USD/GBP rate reflected the dollar’s modest recovery .
Valuation Context: The pound’s valuation has expanded after a smooth transition in UK political leadership . DEER analysis places GBP in the overvalued category alongside the dollar and euro .
🇯🇵 Japanese Yen (JPY): Intervention Hangover Persists
The yen remained range-bound against the dollar, trading near 158-159 USD/JPY . The pair struggled to break above resistance at 159.60, with support at 158.15 .
Exchange Rate Snapshot (JPY/EUR): The yen traded at approximately 185.6-185.92 per euro, showing little movement over the week .
Key Context: Joint US-Japan FX interventions in recent months have pulled the dollar index and USD/JPY lower from their peaks, though the impact has faded . The Bank of Japan’s September meeting is now in focus .
DEER strategy continues to recommend long positions in JPY, which is considered one of the most undervalued major G10 currencies—with its undervaluation having reached a record low before the joint interventions .
🇨🇳 Chinese Yuan (CNY): Managing Gradual Depreciation
The yuan remained broadly stable against the dollar, with the central parity rate set at $1 = 6.7811 yuan on August 28 .
Exchange Rate Snapshot (CNY/EUR): The yuan traded at approximately 7.825-7.841 per euro, showing slight strength as the week progressed .
Outlook: Analysts see potential for a slow fall toward 6.70 in USD/CNY while below the 6.7850 level . The yuan is noted as one of the most undervalued currencies in Asia ex-Japan .
🇮🇳 Indian Rupee (INR): Stability Amid Regional Strength
The rupee is positioned to test levels near 95.15-95.00 against the dollar in the near term . The RBI’s policy stance remains a key factor, with the central bank’s recent meeting watched closely .
Valuation Context: Like the yuan, the rupee ranks among the most undervalued currencies in Asia ex-Japan .
📊 Weekly Exchange Rate Recap
| Currency Pair | Aug 24 | Aug 28 | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | $1.1664 | $1.1643 | Slightly weaker |
| GBP/EUR | £0.8555 | £0.8572 | Slightly weaker vs EUR |
| JPY/EUR | ¥185.60 | ¥185.92 | Slightly weaker vs EUR |
| CNY/EUR | ¥7.8414 | ¥7.8251 | Slightly stronger vs EUR |
Source: Banque de France daily parities
Looking Ahead: Key Themes for FX Markets
1. Fed Policy Direction
The Jackson Hole Symposium failed to provide clear guidance. Markets will watch for any shift in the Fed’s tone as the September meeting approaches .
2. ECB’s Next Move
With eurozone inflation risks persisting, the European Central Bank’s hawkish stance could continue supporting the euro against the dollar .
3. Geopolitical Risks
Tariffs on Canada and sanctions on Iran remain in focus. Any escalation could drive further safe-haven flows into the dollar .
4. Intervention Watch
With USD/JPY stuck near intervention levels, markets remain alert to any signs of further coordinated action by US and Japanese authorities .
Bottom Line for Forex Traders
The week of August 24-28 showcased a dollar finding its footing after a prolonged slide, buoyed by geopolitical risk and Treasury policy. The euro held its ground on ECB hawkishness, while the yen and yuan remain undervalued but range-bound. The rupee continues to track regional dynamics.
For now, the dollar’s recovery appears tentative, with gains capped by Fed uncertainty. Until the central bank provides clearer guidance, expect continued consolidation across major pairs.
Commodities Weekly Review: Oil Surges on Geopolitics, Precious Metals Sink on Hawkish Fed (Aug 24-28, 2026)
Oil markets post strong weekly gains on US-Iran tensions, while gold and silver suffer a dramatic Friday selloff after Fed Chair Warsh signals rate hikes ahead.
The week of August 24-28 delivered a stark divergence in commodity markets. Crude oil surged on escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East, while precious metals—gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—experienced a brutal reversal after a hawkish speech from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole Symposium.
Crude Oil: Geopolitical Risk Premium Returns
Brent and WTI posted solid weekly gains as US-Iran tensions intensified and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns front and center.
Weekly Performance Snapshot (Friday, August 28 AM)
| Benchmark | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude | ~$89.12 | -0.65% on the day |
| WTI Crude | ~$83.01 | -0.62% on the day |
While both benchmarks eased slightly on Friday, they remained sharply higher for the week after earlier rallies.
The Geopolitical Catalyst
The oil market’s bullish tone was fueled by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington threatened unprecedented economic pressure on Tehran, with President Trump warning countries against providing financial or commercial support to Iran . The UAE suspended financial and economic transactions with Iran after accusing Tehran of launching ballistic missiles at its territory .
Key supply disruptions:
- Strait of Hormuz: US forces maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports, raising concerns over global energy supplies. Hormuz oil flows averaged just 2.3 million barrels per day in August, against a pre-war throughput equal to roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments .
- Asian imports: Crude imports fell to 23.12 million barrels per day in August from 23.36 million in July, well below the 26.91 million pre-war average .
- Inventory data: The EIA reported commercial crude inventories rose slightly, but gasoline and distillate stocks fell significantly below the five-year average .
Demand Concerns as a Counterweight
Despite the geopolitical premium, demand destruction concerns capped further gains:
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) cut its global oil demand forecast
- OPEC trimmed its 2026 demand projections
- Forward Brent projections were marked down to $86 for Q3, $80 for Q4, and $78 at year-end
The curve structure remained in backwardation—prompt barrels trading above deferred ones—indicating that supply is constrained now and expected to loosen later .
What to Watch: Any diplomatic breakthrough or escalation in the Strait of Hormuz will drive the next major move. Oil is trading as a market that priced in a corridor reopening that hasn’t happened yet .
Gold: From Seven-Session Rally to Jackson Hole Rout
Gold’s week was a tale of two halves—a strong bullish run through Thursday, followed by a dramatic Friday collapse after Fed Chair Warsh’s hawkish remarks.
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Metal | Friday AM Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Gold (spot) | ~$4,611.67 | +0.23% (Friday AM, before Fed speech) |
| Gold (futures) | Closed at $4,504.10 | -3.24% on Friday |
The Bullish Setup (Monday-Thursday)
Gold began the week in strong form:
- Monday: Advanced $48 in futures markets, clearing the 38.2% Fibonacci level at $4,692 with conviction
- Tuesday: Hit a new three-month high—the seventh consecutive higher high on the daily candlestick chart
- Support: Gold held above the 200-day moving average throughout the week, maintaining the bullish structure
The Jackson Hole Shock (Friday)
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivered a more hawkish-than-expected keynote address at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, triggering a massive selloff .
Key Warsh comments:
- The Fed would raise rates if inflation remains hot
- Reaffirmed commitment to bringing inflation down to 2%
- Recent inflation readings haven’t pointed to easing prices
Market Reaction:
- December gold futures **plunged $150.70**, or 3.24%, to close at $4,504.10
- Gold opened at $4,656, briefly tagged $4,688 (testing and failing to reclaim the 38.2% Fibonacci level), then sold off sharply
- The weekly gain was entirely erased
Rate hike odds surged:
- Odds of a 25-bps rate hike at the September FOMC meeting jumped to 59.7% from 35.4% a day earlier
- Odds of at least one hike by year-end rose to 89.1% from 74.1%
- 10-year Treasury yield rose 5.6 bps to 4.728%
Technical Damage Assessment
Gold closed back below the 200-day moving average ($4,641.20), which now reverts to overhead resistance . The close at $4,504 places price directly at the Ichimoku Lagging Span, with the cloud becoming the critical battleground for next week .
Key levels to watch:
- Support: $4,485.50 (Leading Span A) and $4,385.30 (Leading Span B)
- Critical warning: A close below $4,435 (23.6% Fibonacci retracement) would shift the conversation toward a retest of lower levels
The Longer-Term Context
Despite the Friday rout, gold continues to receive support from:
- Concerns over US fiscal credibility
- Strong participation in ETFs and futures
- Continued buying by official institutions
OCBC Bank remained bullish on gold because concerns about US fiscal credibility supported demand .
Silver, Platinum, Palladium: Dragged Down by the Fed
All three precious metals followed gold lower on Friday, though industrial demand dynamics created some divergence.
Weekly Performance
Silver
Silver tracked gold closely. Earlier in the week, silver gained 1% to $68.77 as precious metals broadly advanced . SHFE silver futures gained over 3% on August 28 before the Jackson Hole speech . The gold/silver ratio remained near the evolving mean of 68.4x-69.2x .
Key levels: Silver’s pivot point was $68.43, with a support and resistance range of $64.93–$71.58 .
Platinum and Palladium
Both platinum group metals (PGMs) have been caught in the broader precious metals selloff since January. CME Group noted that gold, silver, platinum, and palladium fell sharply from a January peak on three drivers: the Warsh nomination, war-driven inflation, and the Fed dropping its easing bias . However, prices have stabilized since late June .
Platinum spot market commentary: Transactions remained sluggish, with downstream enterprises largely in wait-and-see mode . Mainstream quotations were at discounts of 3.5-2.5 yuan/g against the futures contract .
Commodity Price Recap
| Commodity | Price (Aug 28 AM) | Weekly Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude | ~$89.12 | Strong gains on geopolitical risk |
| WTI Crude | ~$83.01 | Gains capped by demand concerns |
| Gold (spot) | $4,611.67 | Seven-session rally erased by Fed hawkishness |
| Silver | $70.72 | Following gold lower |
| Platinum | $1,878.50 | PGM sector weakness |
| Palladium | $1,367.00 | Tracking precious metals lower |
The Week Ahead: Three Things to Watch
1. Fed Policy Trajectory
Rate hike odds surged post-Jackson Hole. Any further hawkish signals will pressure precious metals. OCBC Bank noted that Jackson Hole would be the next key test for gold .
2. Strait of Hormuz Developments
Oil markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical headlines. The corridor hasn’t reopened, and tanker traffic remains well below pre-war levels . Any diplomatic breakthrough could send oil sharply lower.
3. Technical Levels for Gold
Gold is at a critical juncture. Holding within or above the Ichimoku cloud keeps the broader bullish structure arguable . A close below $4,435 would be a more serious technical warning .
Bottom Line for Commodities Investors
The week of August 24-28 showcased divergent drivers across commodity sectors:
- Oil: Bullish on geopolitical risk, but demand destruction and a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are downside risks
- Gold and Silver: Bearish catalyst from the Fed’s hawkish pivot, but longer-term bullish factors (fiscal credibility concerns, central bank buying) remain intact
- Platinum and Palladium: Following precious metals lower; industrial demand dynamics could eventually provide support
Grains & Livestock Weekly Review: Corn and Soybeans Surge, Cattle Under Pressure, Poultry Shows Split (Aug 24-28, 2026)
Corn and soybean futures rallied hard on supply concerns and strong demand, while cattle prices eased on border reopening news and dairy and poultry markets showed mixed signals.
For the week of August 24-28, 2026, the agricultural commodity markets told a story of diverging fundamentals. Grain markets surged on tightening supply expectations, while the livestock sector faced headwinds from policy shifts and a surprising split within the poultry complex.
Corn: A Significant Move Higher
Corn was a standout performer for the week, staging a sharp rally that pushed futures decisively higher .
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Benchmark | Aug 21 Price | Aug 28 Price | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBOT Corn | $5.085/bushel | $5.365/bushel | +5.51% |
The Rally Drivers
The surge was fueled by a combination of crop concerns and robust demand fundamentals:
- Crop Condition Deterioration: The USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report showed a dip in good-to-excellent ratings for corn, with the crop in its critical dough stage. Any condition loss this late in the season carries real yield risk heading into the September WASDE report .
- Supply Story Tightening: The Pro Farmer Crop Tour gave the market a fresh bullish nudge, as traders began to price in the possibility that the U.S. harvest would not be as generous as expected . The market is now waiting for the Pro Farmer yield estimates on Friday to confirm or deny the move .
- Strong Underlying Demand: Strong demand and broader strength across grain markets have been supporting prices .
- Technical Strength: The corn contract has climbed sharply, trading above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, with the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 78.8, signaling a strong, though potentially overbought, trend .
Soybeans: Following Corn Higher
Soybean futures mirrored corn’s upward trajectory, also driven by supply concerns and strong demand signals.
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Benchmark | Aug 21 Price | Aug 28 Price | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBOT Soybeans | $12.395/bushel | $12.88/bushel | +3.91% |
The Bullish Catalysts
- Domestic and International Demand: Strong domestic crush demand and continued buying by China provided fundamental support, confirming that import commitments are being followed through .
- Crop Condition Dip: Like corn, soybean good-to-excellent ratings dipped in the USDA report. The crop is in its pod-filling stage, making it sensitive to late-season weather and condition changes .
- Broad Market Strength: The broader grain complex strength, buoyed by strong energy prices which can support biofuel demand, gave soybeans an additional lift .
What to Watch: The upcoming Pro Farmer yield estimates will be critical. If they confirm lower yields, this rally could have further room to run .
Cattle & Calves: Historically Strong but Under Pressure
Cattle markets remained at historically strong levels but came under pressure during the week due to a specific policy event .
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Benchmark | Price Action |
|---|---|
| Live Cattle (Aug) | Fell to approximately $2.21/lb |
| Feeder Cattle | Barely held at $333.80 |
Headwinds and Tight Supplies
- Border Reopening: The primary catalyst for the weakness was the reopening of the Arizona border for Mexican feeder cattle, with New Mexico following shortly after. This news weighed on the feeder cattle market, which is now pricing in the returning supply .
- Policy and Processing Constraints: An administration plan to temporarily increase U.S. beef imports added to the pressure . However, the more binding friction remains the ongoing Cargill multi-plant lockout, which has removed roughly 6,000 head of daily processing capacity since May .
- Tight Domestic Supplies: Despite the price pullback, tight domestic cattle supplies continue to provide underlying support, keeping cattle economics relatively favorable for producers .
Key Insight: The market is absorbing a double hit from fund selling and the border reopening. The speed at which the feeder/live cattle ratio compresses from here will be a key metric to watch .
Dairy (Class III Milk): Modestly Higher
The dairy market showed modest strength on the week, with Class III milk futures edging up.
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Benchmark | Price (Aug 28) |
|---|---|
| Class III Milk (Sep) | Closed at $16.41/cwt, up 8 cents |
Market Context
Class III milk futures closed the week at $16.41 per hundredweight, a modest gain of 8 cents . The market has been range-bound in recent weeks. Recent data shows Class III milk prices consolidating after a volatile few months, with the market finding some support after a period of weakness from 52-week highs near $19.41 .
Broilers (Poultry): A Tale of Two Markets
The poultry sector showed a significant divergence, with egg prices surging while chicken prices weakened.
Weekly Performance Snapshot
| Product | Price Trend |
|---|---|
| Eggs (China market) | +3.9% week-over-week, +28.2% year-over-year |
| Chicken (China market) | -0.1% week-over-week |
The “Egg-Going-Up, Chicken-Going-Down” Split
A fascinating divergence emerged in the poultry complex, particularly noted in Chinese markets:
- Eggs Surge: Egg prices continued to climb, driven by strong demand and tight supplies. The national average egg price rose 3.9% from the previous week and was a staggering 28.2% higher than the same period last year . As one analysis put it, the egg market is “charging higher” while the chicken market is “weakening” .
- Chicken Slips: In contrast to egg prices, white-feathered chicken prices moved slightly lower. The wholesale market price for dressed chicken fell by 0.1%, with the trend showing continued weakness .
- Implications for Producers: This split creates a “fire and ice” scenario for the poultry industry. Egg producers are direct beneficiaries of the price surge, while broiler producers face margin pressure from weaker chicken prices .
The Week Ahead: Three Things to Watch
- Pro Farmer Yield Estimates (Friday): This will be the most important event for the grain markets. The tour’s final yield projections will either confirm the bullish supply narrative or potentially trigger a pullback if the numbers are better than feared .
- Cattle Import Flow: The market will watch how quickly feeder cattle imports ramp up following the border reopening and the impact on the feeder/live cattle spread .
- Poultry Price Divergence: The gap between egg and chicken prices is a key indicator of consumer demand and supply chain dynamics for the protein complex and will be closely monitored .
Bottom Line for Ag Investors
The week of August 24-28 showed grains in a strong bullish phase on yield uncertainty and demand, while livestock markets faced policy-driven headwinds that offset tight supply fundamentals. The poultry sector presented a split screen, with egg producers thriving and chicken producers under pressure.
Crypto Weekly Review: Bitcoin Back Above $80,000 as Sentiment Turns ‘Extreme Greedy’ (Aug 24-28, 2026)
The crypto market added over $430 billion in market cap this week as Bitcoin reclaimed $80,000, Ethereum surged, and a massive short squeeze fueled the strongest rally in months.
It was a blockbuster week for digital assets. The global cryptocurrency market staged a powerful rally, with Bitcoin breaking above the psychologically important $80,000 level for the first time since May 2026 . A combination of favorable macroeconomic signals, massive institutional inflows, and a brutal short squeeze drove the crypto market to new heights, pushing sentiment into “extreme greed” territory for the first time since late 2024 .
Weekly Performance Summary
The leading cryptocurrencies all posted impressive weekly gains, though prices experienced some consolidation and profit-taking by the end of the week.
Bitcoin: The Comeback King
Bitcoin was the undisputed star of the week. The cryptocurrency surged roughly 24% over a seven-day period, reclaiming the $80,000 level and briefly touching an intraday high near **$81,255** . The rally was fueled by several converging factors:
The Treasury Announcement
The week’s biggest catalyst came from the U.S. Treasury, which announced plans to more than double its buyback of long-dated bonds. This move lowered long-term yields, reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin and bolstering risk-on sentiment . The dollar, in turn, weakened, providing additional support for dollar-denominated assets including cryptocurrencies.
The Massive Short Squeeze
As Bitcoin broke out of its multi-month trading range near $62,000-$65,000, a wave of forced buying was triggered. Data from Coinglass revealed that approximately **$2.7 billion in bearish crypto positions were liquidated** over a 24-hour period, with more than $1 billion of Bitcoin shorts closing within about one hour . Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research noted that this was the largest liquidation of Bitcoin shorts ever recorded .
Institutional Inflows
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded strong inflows throughout the week, with approximately $1.92 billion in net inflows and eight consecutive days of positive flows . This institutional demand provided a steady bid for Bitcoin as it climbed higher.
Key Resistance Ahead
While the rally was impressive, profit-taking emerged after Bitcoin hit resistance near the $81,000-$83,000 zone. Analysts suggest that Bitcoin must decisively break above **$83,000** to confirm a new uptrend, which could open a path toward $100,000 .
Ethereum and Altcoins: Riding the Wave
Ethereum also delivered a strong performance, gaining approximately 30% during the rally and consolidating near $2,500 by the end of the week .
BNB rose to about $710, up roughly 7.7% for the week, tracking the broader market sentiment .
Meanwhile, other altcoins posted even more impressive gains. XRP surged 48% during the rally, followed closely by Solana which advanced 28% . Solana’s gains were notable, with the token reaching approximately $109** at one point . This broader altcoin rally contributed to the total crypto market capitalization surging from about $2.25 trillion to $2.68 trillion, adding more than **$430 billion in less than a week .
Stablecoins: Stability Amid Volatility
As expected, stablecoins provided a safe haven and liquidity base during the market’s volatile swings.
Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) remained firmly pegged to $1.00**, with negligible weekly changes . Tether’s market cap increased slightly to roughly **$183 billion, while USDC’s market cap sat near $73 billion .
Sentiment Shift: Extreme Greed
Perhaps the most notable development was the dramatic shift in market sentiment. CoinMarketCap’s Fear and Greed Index surged from 41 to 81 within a week, moving from “neutral” territory into “extreme greed” . This represents a 45-point increase from the 36 reading recorded just one month ago.
While extreme greed typically signals strong buying interest and high confidence, analysts caution that it may also indicate the market is overheated and potentially vulnerable to a correction .
The Broader Context: Macro Drivers
Several macroeconomic factors played pivotal roles in this week’s crypto rally:
Nvidia’s Earnings Beat
Nvidia’s second-quarter earnings beat, which saw revenue more than double year-over-year to $96 billion, boosted risk appetite across both U.S. equities and cryptocurrencies. The AI-led tech rally spilled over into digital assets .
Jackson Hole Symposium
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish remarks at Jackson Hole did weigh on risk assets, including crypto, late in the week. Hawkish signals indicating the potential for a September rate hike tempered some of the earlier gains .
Favorable Regulatory Signals
Investor sentiment also improved after President Donald Trump urged Congress to advance cryptocurrency legislation, raising hopes for a more favorable regulatory framework .
The Week Ahead: Three Things to Watch
- **Resistance at $83,000:** Bitcoin needs to decisively break above $83,000 to confirm the uptrend and potentially target $100,000 .
- ETF Flow Trends: Continued strong inflows into Bitcoin ETFs could provide support, while a reversal might signal a slowdown.
- Fed Policy Signals: With rate hike expectations rising post-Jackson Hole, any further hawkish signals could dampen risk appetite.
Bottom Line for Crypto Investors
The week of August 24-28 showcased the crypto market’s responsiveness to macroeconomic catalysts and the power of short squeezes to drive dramatic price moves. While the rally has pushed sentiment to euphoric levels and created real gains, profit-taking and consolidation are likely in the near term.
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