International News Summary, August 20, 2026

MacroCommodityCorporate Action Impact 4

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Summary · why it matters

Crude oil prices closed at their highest level in nearly four weeks after the United Arab Emirates suspended all transactions with Iran. West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery closed at 85.83 dollars per barrel, up 1.1 percent, while Brent for October delivery closed at 91.62 dollars, up 0.7 percent. U.S. public debt surged past 40 trillion dollars for the first time amid fiscal crisis concerns. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an increase in buyback amounts for 10- to 30-year bonds of at least twofold, from 2 billion dollars to 4 billion dollars per operation, starting September 9 through November 4, 2026. Minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting signaled a possible rate hike if inflation does not slow, with the FOMC voting 9 to 3 to hold rates steady. China opened trading of offshore government bond futures for the first time through Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing on August 3. Sources said a temporary U.S.-Canada trade deal may reduce steel and aluminum tariffs to 25 percent and auto tariffs to 15 percent. North Korea denied direct contact between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump. SK Hynix announced a share buyback worth 4 trillion won, up to 24 million shares, between August 20 and November 19, and raised its shareholder return target to more than 50 percent of cumulative free cash flow for 2025 to 2027. Moderna shares surged 177 percent to a record high after its mRNA cancer treatment with Merck reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence in a final-stage trial, causing short sellers to lose about 5.5 billion dollars.