What moved markets on August 18, 2026

Soybean futures are rallying above $12, reaching a three-week high.

Soybean futures are rallying above $12, reaching a three-week high. This move is supported by US crush activity and crude oil prices.

Silver is trading above $66 an ounce, marking its third consecutive session of gains.

Silver is trading above $66 an ounce, marking its third consecutive session of gains. This movement coincides with markets reducing expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

Japanese shares are slipping, with the Nikkei 225 Index down 0.4% to below 69,000.

Japanese shares are slipping, with the Nikkei 225 Index down 0.4% to below 69,000. This comes as the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond yield climbed to around 2.95%, its highest level in three decades.

US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.02 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.03 percent, Dow futures is down 0.05 percent…

US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.02 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.03 percent, Dow futures is down 0.05 percent and Russell futures is unchanged at 0 percent.

US equities are mixed: S&P futures are down 0.01%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.01%, and Russell futures are unchanged.

US equities are mixed: S&P futures are down 0.01%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.01%, and Russell futures are unchanged. In FX, the dollar index is down 0.07%, EUR/USD is up 0.03%, and USD/JPY is up 0.05%. WTI crude is up 0.46%, and gold is up 0.32%.

Zambia's electoral commission declares Hichilema president-elect.

Zambia's President Hichilema has won re-election, securing about 60% of valid votes, according to official results.

Australia's August Westpac-MI Consumer Confidence Index rose 6.0% to 88.9.

Australia's August Westpac-MI Consumer Confidence Index rose 6.0% to 88.9. Consumer sentiment printed at 6%, up from a prior reading of 4.1%.

US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.01 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.02 percent, Dow futures is down 0.02 percent…

US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.01 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.02 percent, Dow futures is down 0.02 percent and Russell futures is up 0.02 percent.

US equities are higher: S&P futures are up 0.01 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.02 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.02…

US equities are higher: S&P futures are up 0.01 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.02 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.02 percent. The US Dollar Index is down 0.1 percent, with EUR/USD up 0.04 percent and USD/JPY up 0.01 percent. WTI crude is up 0.47 percent, and gold is up 0.06 percent. The VIX is up 6.6 percent. US 10-year yields are up 2.8 basis points, and US 30-year yields are up 4.4 basis points.