Stock Market on Aug. 20, 2026: Dow drops around 700 points, S&P 500 and Nasdaq end lower as Bessent buybacks fail to calm bond market; Treasury yields climb; Walmart shares tumble after earnings results; Big Tech stocks retreat - MarketWatch

Thursday, August 20, 2026

U.S. stocks struggled as investors weighed the latest batch of economic data and Walmart's earnings results. Treasury rates were back on the rise, reversing their decline on Wednesday that had been sparked by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's plan for buybac…