Shesa's Weekend Stock Market Updates - 8|23|26

Welcome to my weekend stock market updates

U.S. stocks finished the week of August 17–21, 2026 lower overall, despite a solid rebound on Friday. The rising Treasury yields brought apprehension to the market. The 30-year yield hit 19 years highs near 5.3% and higher oil prices (driven by Middle East/Iran-related tensions) weighed on sentiment earlier in the week. Inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty contributed to the pressure. The retail sector earnings were mixed. This week we will have two extremely important events. But before that let's see the weekly stock market index: 

  • S&P 500: Down -1.43% (closed at 7,674.37)
  • Nasdaq Composite: Down -2.05% (closed at 26,180.46)
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down about -0.85% (closed at 53,277.01)
  • Small-caps (Russell 2000): Down -1.65%.
FED Minutes last week
As inflation concerns deepened, several participants wanted an immediate increase due to broad-based price pressures, and “many” Fed members said further tightening would likely be needed if inflation did not decline toward 2%. However, most members still expected some easing later this year. I think probably FED may hike 0.25% interest rate this year or more. However, if inflation numbers are under control then it may not hike. We may get some hints during the annual Jackson Hole FED symposium this week. Let's see..

Earnings last week
There were many retailers who reported earning but the key was Walmart (WMT). The company had a beat on the top and bottom line marginally. However, US same-store sales grew only 2.6% vs. 3.7% expected. This was the slowest pace of US same-store sales growth since Q4 of 2020. The stock was down 9% after the results.

Key Events this week
  • Wednesday, 8/26: NVDA Earnings, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), Q2 GDP  (2nd estimate)
  • Friday, Aug 28: Friday, 8/28: The most important annual Jackson Hole FED symposium will take place from August 27 to August 29 in Wyoming. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's keynote at 10 a.m. EST (7am PST). 
  • Friday, 8/28: Consumer Sentiment
Earning this week: The biggest earnings of the season Nvidia (NVDA) reports earnings on Wednesday, 8/26. The company may have another explosive quarter. 

Other News

NVDA price hikes: Per Bloomberg report published on August 22, 2026, some of Nvidia’s largest customers have been notified that prices for servers containing its AI chips will rise by more than 15% in many cases.


TSLA: Cybercab is officially launching on September 3rd. From prototype to launch in less than two years. It also got an order to deliver 500 Tesla Semi truck from an European company. In next few months and year Tesla will have many catalysts. It may be worth to keep an eye. I will write more in my next blog. Stay tuned!


OpenAI and Anthropic annual recurring revenue (ARR) hit $105 billion in July, up 490% YoY.


Stocks to watch
NVDA, TSLA, MU, DELL, SPCX, NBIS, MP, RDW, AAPL, SOXL

Going Forward
Looking ahead: This week we will have the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium when Fed chair Kevin Warsh will speak at ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​7am PST. Before that we will see the biggest earnings of the season when Nvidia (NVDA) reports on Wednesday, 8/26. The company may have another explosive quarter. But Nvidia has reported solid earnings for last several quarters and still the stock has been in a trading range for many months. So, we will see how it will work this time. Can it revive the AI and technology stocks or same old story? Furthermore, what Kevin Warsh will say about Interest rate, economy, Fed actions etc. may set a hawkish and dovish tone for the market. What so ever it is, l won't be over jubilant for next few weeks until some part of October.

Have a good investing! 

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