India becomes Asia's least preferred market, replaces Indonesia: BofA poll - BusinessToday

• The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield has surged to 5.33%, reaching its highest level in 19 years and triggering a global bond market selloff. • This spike is driven by mounting concerns over persistent inflation and massive government spending, which is subsequently creating volatility in equity markets.

• A Bank of America survey of fund managers reveals that India has become the least-favoured stock market in Asia and one of the world's worst performers this year. • While Taiwan and Japan remain the most preferred markets, the share of managers underweight on Indonesian equities dropped from 32% in July to 27%.

• Indian stock markets opened strongly on August 20, 2026, with the Sensex jumping over 500 points and the Nifty 50 climbing above 24,200. • The rally was driven by improved global risk appetite, as US indices (Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq) gained up to 0.22% and the VIX fell by 6%.

• U.S. Treasury yields for 10-year and 30-year notes plunged on Wednesday following the Treasury Department's announcement of expanded liquidity-support buybacks. • The department plans to double the scale of these buybacks to improve market functioning and ensure smoother trading of older securities.

• The US Treasury has announced plans to increase its purchases of long-term government bonds to stabilize the financial market. • This strategic shift comes as Washington expresses growing concern over a sharp rise in borrowing costs that could pressure the economy.

• The U.S. 30-Year Treasury yield reached a 19-year high, hitting 5.30% as of August 17. • This surge was driven by mounting concerns over inflation, increased debt issuance, and rising oil prices.

• Recent economic indicators suggest the US economy remains strong despite a few isolated data points showing a slight cooling trend. • Analysts argue that these minor fluctuations are not indicative of a broader decline in consumer demand or systemic economic weakening.

• Toumas Malinen, a professor specializing in financial crises, warns that the US economy is currently dangerously close to entering a recession. • In contrast, economists at the Atlanta Fed provide a more optimistic outlook, estimating that GDP will expand by 4% over the third quarter.

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has increased the buyback of long-term U.S. debt to address market dislocations. • The move comes as Treasury yields have reached their highest levels in several years, with Bessent specifically monitoring 10-year yields as a key financial benchmark.

• Global bond yields are rising, creating a "bond rout" that increases borrowing costs for investors and consumers. • A significant divergence has emerged between the bond market, which signals growing economic anxiety, and the stock market, which remains largely optimistic.

• Global markets rallied and government bond yields fell after the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would double the amount of debt it can buy back from investors. • This strategic move aims to reduce stress among bond investors by managing the supply of government debt more effectively.