Markets retreat as Moderna surges on cancer vaccine results and Micron unveils a $10B AI memory lab. Oil rises, Bitcoin jumps and Nasdaq falls.
Markets retreat as Moderna surges on cancer vaccine results and Micron unveils a $10B AI memory lab. Oil rises, Bitcoin jumps and Nasdaq falls.

Markets are pulling back as investors continue to navigate higher bond yields, persistent energy pressures, and renewed concerns around growth stocks. The TSX is essentially flat, up just 0.00%, while the TSX Venture Index is down 0.08%. In the U.S., the Dow is off 0.60% and the Nasdaq is down 1.01%, as technology shares remain under pressure despite signs of stabilization in the Treasury market.

The broader market backdrop remains mixed. Recent Treasury actions have helped calm the bond rout, but pressure remains elevated across rate-sensitive sectors. Oil continues to climb on the Iran standoff and uncertainty surrounding energy exports, while Bitcoin is surging more than 3% as improved risk appetite returns to parts of the market. Gold remains elevated near record levels despite today’s modest pullback.

Market numbers

TSX: Flat (+0.00%) 36,402.12

TSXV: Down (‑0.08%) 970.97

DOW: Down (‑0.60%) 53,141.7

NASDAQ: Down (‑1.01%) 29,261.5

FTSE 100: Down (‑0.17%) 10,723.85

In the headlines

  • Moderna explodes on cancer vaccine breakthrough: Moderna (NDAQ:MRNA), the biotechnology company known for its mRNA platform, surged 177% after reporting breakthrough results from its Merck-partnered melanoma vaccine. The late-stage trial showed the treatment reduced recurrence and spread of melanoma, marking the first successful late-stage trial for an mRNA cancer vaccine.
  • Micron unveils $10B AI memory research lab: Micron (NDAQ:MU), one of the world’s largest memory-chip manufacturers, announced plans for a $10 billion artificial intelligence memory research facility in Boise. The move reinforces growing investment across the AI infrastructure ecosystem as demand for advanced memory and storage technologies accelerates.

Currencies

USD: Up (+0.21%) $0.7253

GBP: Down (‑0.02%) $0.5317

EUR: Up (+0.19%) $0.62140

JPY: Up (+0.58%) ¥115.206

AUD: Up (+0.27%) $1.0191

Bitcoin (BTC/CAD): Up (+3.31%) 98,721.9

(Conversion to C$1)

Commodities

Copper: Down (‑1.32%) 6.50619

Gold: Down (‑0.90%) 4,482.44

WTI: Up (+2.68%) 86.20

Natural Gas: Down (‑1.15%) 2.757

To stay up-to-date on all of your market news head to Stockhouse.com.

Join the discussion: Find out what everybody’s saying about Moderna and Micron on August 20th, 2026, on Stockhouse’s stock forums and message boards.


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