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US stock futures edge higher as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signals expanded debt buybacks to stabilize 10-year yields, which currently sit at 4.7%.
US stock futures rose on Friday as the Treasury Department signaled an expansion of its long-end debt buyback program to curb 10-year Treasury yields, which have stabilized at 4.7% [1]. The move follows a broad selloff on Thursday that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall 1.32% and the S&P 500 decline 0.87%, as investors weigh government intervention against persistent inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions in the Gulf [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Dow Jones Futures | +0.13% |
| S&P 500 Futures | +0.18% |
| Nasdaq 100 Futures | +0.38% |
| 10-Year Treasury Yield | 4.7% |
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the government’s long-end bond buyback program could exceed the previously planned $4 billion per issue to address rising borrowing costs [1]. While the initial announcement of increased buyback volumes on Wednesday provided a temporary reprieve for the bond market, yields remain under pressure due to concerns regarding large budget deficits and heavy corporate borrowing [2]. Analysts at Rabobank suggest that policy initiatives may struggle to provide a sustained decline in yields, noting that macroeconomic fundamentals—including elevated inflation and AI-related investment demand—remain unchanged [1].
Equity sentiment faced additional headwinds following a 9.15% drop in Walmart shares after the retailer reported its slowest US sales growth since 2020 at 2.6% year-over-year [1]. This performance has renewed investor questions regarding the resilience of the US consumer in an environment of high energy prices and low savings rates [1]. Meanwhile, the US dollar index (DXY) hovered near 98.8, with analysts at CBA noting that the currency’s outlook remains weak due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding US debt levels [2].
Surging oil prices continue to act as a primary driver for market volatility, fueled by escalating tensions between the US and Iran [1]. Brent crude and WTI futures are heading for a weekly gain of approximately 5%, as Washington prepares to announce new economic measures targeting Iran’s banking and shipping sectors on Monday [1]. Analysts warn that this geopolitical deadlock is adding an "inflation premium" to US markets, evidenced by the 5y5y US inflation swap forward remaining near its May peak despite a decline in headline inflation data [1]. Gold prices have climbed above $4,600 per troy ounce, reflecting a flight to safety amid the broader uncertainty surrounding US fiscal health [2].
The central question for markets remains whether government-led debt buybacks can effectively decouple borrowing costs from the persistent inflationary pressures driven by energy prices and fiscal deficits. As the Federal Reserve prepares for its annual symposium, the disconnect between cooling headline inflation and elevated market-based expectations suggests that volatility may persist through the end of the quarter [1].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Aug 25, 2026 · How we report
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