Expo News Today — August 21, 2026

Global markets are navigating a complex landscape of rising costs and shifting investor sentiment. A perfect storm is brewing for the global food supply, with grain prices soaring and threatening to exacerbate the challenges faced by consumers and businesses alike. This comes as Walmart's disappointing outlook led to a significant tumble in its stock price, highlighting the concerns about the impact of rising costs on the retail sector. Meanwhile, the surge in oil prices, driven by heightened tensions with Iran, is adding to the pressure on consumers, with the rising 'crack spread' in the energy market also posing a threat to American households.

The turmoil in markets is also having an impact on investor sentiment, with some warning that the current bull market may be tested by rising interest rates. However, others argue that the relationship between rates and market performance is not that simple, and that a bear market is not necessarily on the horizon. In a separate development, bitcoin has seen a surge in value, driven by a last-ditch effort by supporters, including former US President Trump, to push for greater clarity in cryptocurrency regulation. As markets continue to navigate these challenges, investors are likely to remain cautious and focused on the potential risks and opportunities ahead.

Today's signal:
• 'Perfect storm' brews for global food supply this winter as grain prices soar (cnbc.com)
• Walmart stock tumbles 9% after outlook disappoints Wall Street (cnbc.com)
• If rising rates were enough to end a bull market, we’d have entered a bear market long ago (marketwatch.com)
• Bitcoin surges 12% in two days as Trump, crypto execs lead last ditch effort for Clarity Act (cnbc.com)
• The energy market’s rising ‘crack spread’ is threatening to break the American consumer (marketwatch.com)
• Oil prices rise 2% as Trump sharpens Iran rhetoric amid diplomatic impasse (cnbc.com)