August 25th 3PM ET Market Update on TFNN - 2026

Basil Chapman from Tiger Financial News Network opens the August 25th market update by highlighting a mixed performance across major indices, noting that while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 159 points to reach 53,578 with its nine-period moving average holding steady, the broader market sentiment remains fragile. He observes that although the price action for the Dow shows some positive momentum resembling a doji candle, technical indicators such as the MACD and stochastic oscillator are weak, suggesting underlying caution. Similarly, the S&P 500 is up but displays a very weak chart pattern, while the Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) remains significantly underperforming despite a small gain, with its moving average hovering near negative territory. The Russell 2000 small-cap index also shows weakness, though the semiconductor sector (SMH) managed a modest bounce, which Chapman warns is beginning to impact weekly chart structures negatively. In contrast to the struggling equities, precious metals and alternative assets are showing resilience, with gold pulling back slightly from its intraday high but maintaining an upward trend toward a target of 4818 over the next few days. The most notable strength comes from Bitcoin, which enjoyed a robust day by climbing to a high of 81,350, a chart pattern that Chapman praises as the primary reason for his recent long position. Additionally, copper demonstrated a strong move after breaking through a key resistance level at 6.70, signaling a positive shift in industrial commodity sentiment. Meanwhile, crude oil continues to struggle, falling to 27.5, which adds to the divergent behavior seen across different asset classes during this session. The financial landscape is further influenced by movements in the bond market, where yields are coming down slightly as trading proceeds, a development Chapman identifies as an important factor for overall market stability. He notes that many indices appear to be flashing sell signals over the past week or two, making the upcoming Friday close particularly critical for determining the next major trend direction. While he mentions his absence from the Tom O'Brien show today due to conference commitments and an upcoming interview with Jim Cramer, his primary focus remains on analyzing these technical divergences between price action and momentum indicators. Ultimately, the update concludes with a cautious yet observant outlook, emphasizing that despite some isolated gains in gold, Bitcoin, and copper, the broader market structure is defined by weakness in major indices like the Nasdaq and small caps. Chapman stresses the importance of watching how the market reacts over the coming days, particularly as it approaches the significant Friday close which could validate or invalidate the current bearish technical signals. The session ends with a reminder that while price movement currently supports some optimism, the underlying technical metrics suggest investors should remain vigilant regarding potential downside risks in the near term.