
August 21st, 2026
Scott Bessent is the Treasury Secretary.
He tried to calm the bond market.
But interest rates went up again on Thursday.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 4.69%.
That is almost where it was before Bessent announced a plan.
The plan doubles a bond buyback program.
It will be $4 billion per operation.
The buybacks reduce the supply of long-term bonds.
They also boost their prices.
Bessent said on Thursday that the program could be bigger.
He said the yields do not show the real facts.
He also said the administration will announce a new plan.
The plan will reduce the budget deficit.
It may come by Monday.
He said the deficit will peak this year.
Tariff refunds are one reason.
Investors still worry about government debt.
It went over $40 trillion on Wednesday.
The Congressional Budget Office said the yearly deficit will go over $2 trillion this year.
Gennadiy Goldberg works at TD Securities.
He said the market does not believe that Treasury can support these moves.
He said Congress mostly decides the deficit.
Other things push yields higher.
Big Tech companies borrow a lot of money.
They build AI data centers.
Oil prices keep going up.
People worry about the war with Iran.
That adds to inflation threats.
Kevin Warsh is the new Fed chair.
He has not said if he will raise rates to fight inflation.
He said he wants markets to set rates.
They should use economic conditions, not Fed expectations.
Bessent's action seems to work against that goal.
August 21st, 2026

Warren Buffett gives up chairman title at Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett gives up chairman title at Berkshire Hathaway

Trump wants to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House
Trump wants to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House

Japan's bank raises interest rate to 1.25%, highest in 31 years
Japan's bank raises interest rate to 1.25%, highest in 31 years

Anthropic says Claude helps build a new Claude
Anthropic says Claude helps build a new Claude

Why the Federal Reserve is raising rates now, and what it means
Why the Federal Reserve is raising rates now, and what it means

US stocks have best day in 6 weeks as oil prices and bond yields fall
US stocks have best day in 6 weeks as oil prices and bond yields fall

Federal Reserve raises key rate for 1st time in 3 years, against Trump's wish for a cut
Federal Reserve raises key rate for 1st time in 3 years, against Trump's wish for a cut

US jobless claims fall to 196,000, lowest since mid-July
US jobless claims fall to 196,000, lowest since mid-July

Trump says AI is a ‘hoax’ and a ‘SICK conspiracy.’
Trump says AI is a ‘hoax’ and a ‘SICK conspiracy.’

Supreme Court to decide on Maine lobsterman's GPS boat tracker case
Supreme Court to decide on Maine lobsterman's GPS boat tracker case