Stocks waver, dollar drops as US Treasury moves to lower bond yields

Specialist Gregg Maloney works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Aug 17, 2026, in New York. (Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura) 20 Aug 2026 05:22AM NEW YORK: Stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday (Aug 19) and the dollar fell sharply after the US Treasury signalled action to push down government bond yields, easing fears that higher borrowing costs would weigh on economic growth worldwide.Oil prices again moved higher on doubts of any quick deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic, stoking the inflation fears that have rattled markets since the US-Iran war began nearly six months ago.Those fears and worries about ballooning government deficits have sent bond prices falling - increasing the rates that investors demand to keep financing state borrowing. Higher interest r