Good morning NYC. Key highlights for 2026-08-21:
- Anthropic is planning a major IPO, aiming to surpass SpaceX's $86 billion valuation, with Citigroup joining its underwriting lineup.
- Samsung announced a $80 billion shareholder return plan, reflecting AI-driven profitability and boosting tech sector optimism.
- Walmart's stock fell 9% despite a Q2 earnings beat due to slower sales growth, signaling potential consumer weakness.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's bond buyback plan briefly stabilized yields, but market volatility persists as federal debt exceeds $40 trillion.
- Nvidia is in talks with Korean chip designer Rebellions for a potential technical partnership or acquisition, signaling strategic AI expansion.