Real-time News

The U.S. pending home sales index fell 2.5% year-over-year in July, compared with 2.30% previously.

The U.S. pending home sales index for July was 71.2, revised from 72.5 to 72.9 in July.

Iranian media reported on the 18th that Iran's Supreme Leader will soon preside over a religious event in Tehran.

Fitch: Forecasts Colombia's economic growth at 2.7% in 2026.

Fitch: Colombia's fiscal deficit will approach 7% of GDP in 2026.

Syrian Foreign Minister: We will work to provide the necessary conditions for processing and securely storing these materials.

Syrian Foreign Minister: Emphasizes Syria's right to use nuclear energy for civilian and peaceful purposes.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened down 133.56 points, or 0.25%, at 53,326.22 on Tuesday, August 18; the Nasdaq Composite Index opened down 286.81 points, or 1.08%, at 26,358.1; and the S&P 500 Index opened down 34.63 points, or 0.45%, at 7,710.76.

Syrian Foreign Minister: Nuclear materials will continue to be kept in Syria and subject to safeguards and monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Baidu (BIDU.O) fell 10%, its biggest drop since June 5.

On August 18, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on its social media account that a drone exploded at a commuter bus stop near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, causing 16 casualties. The IAEA described the incident as the "most serious incident" in the plant's history.

Home Depot (HD.N) executives: The company received $730 million in tariff refunds in the second quarter.

According to the UAE news agency, Trump discussed cooperation between the UAE and the United States and ways to further strengthen relations in support of common interests.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center reports that Lala has re-intensified into a hurricane in the central Pacific.

August 18th - Investors have reason to worry about inflation, but this may not be the primary reason for rising bond yields. In fact, inflation expectations, as measured by the breakeven rate, are quite close to the Federal Reserve's long-term target of 2%. Capital.com analyst Daniela Hathaway stated, "Investors can be confident that inflation will average around 2%-2.5% in the long run, but this forecast is becoming less certain due to oil, tariffs, fiscal policy, and other supply shocks." She added that the bond sell-off is driven by "persistent inflation risks, massive government borrowing, and increasingly fierce competition for capital, rather than simply a sharp rise in expected inflation itself."

Home Depot (HD.N) executives: Tariff refunds received under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act reduced second-quarter sales costs by $685 million.

International Atomic Energy Agency: No nuclear safety or security damage was reported following the drone explosion.

On August 18, Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid Ansari stated that Qatar's current diplomatic efforts are primarily focused on de-escalating the crisis and preventing further escalation. The solution lies in achieving a ceasefire between the US and Iran, opening the Strait of Hormuz and guaranteeing freedom of navigation, while simultaneously pushing the US and Iran back to the negotiating table. Ansari noted that Qatar and Pakistan previously mediated a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, and Qatar is working to restore dialogue between the two sides and implement the memorandum. However, due to the breach of the ceasefire, the relevant provisions have not been fully implemented. Currently, Qatar is awaiting an agreement between Oman and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz issue, hoping to use this to resume the negotiation process and prevent further escalation. Ansari also stated that the current priority is to reach an agreement that simultaneously ensures the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a ceasefire. Qatar will continue to push all parties involved to return to negotiations to implement the previously reached memorandum of understanding or to reach an agreement to end the war.