Global markets closed August 31, 2026, with broad weakness across U.S. equities, European markets, and Tel Aviv, while Asian performance remained mixed. The Shanghai Composite and KOSPI advanced, but the Sensex, S&P/ASX 200, Nikkei 225, and Hang Seng declined. Tel Aviv equities also ended lower, led by a 0.81% decline in the TA-35.

America: U.S. Equities End Lower Across Major Benchmarks

U.S. markets finished lower on August 31, 2026, with all major equity benchmarks in the supplied data declining. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.70%, recording the largest decline among the three major U.S. indexes. The S&P 500 declined 0.33%, while the Nasdaq fell 0.12%.

Small-cap equities also weakened, with the Russell 2000 falling 0.54%. Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index declined 0.78%, while Brazil’s IBOVESPA advanced 1.00%. The U.S. Dollar Index increased 0.07% to 99.50.

The VIX stood at 14.92, up 3.40%.

The U.S. data pointed to a broad but measured pullback, with declines extending across large-cap, technology-oriented, and small-cap equities. The stronger performance of the IBOVESPA provided a notable contrast within the Americas.

Europe: Broad Weakness as Major Benchmarks Decline

European markets were predominantly lower on August 31, 2026. Germany’s DAX fell 1.17%, while the EURO STOXX 50 declined 1.01%. France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.79%, the MSCI Europe Index fell 0.71%, and the Euronext 100 Index declined 0.61%.

The FTSE 100 was the main major equity-market exception, rising 0.29%. The Euro Index increased 0.30%, while the British Pound Index gained 0.10%.

Trading conditions in the United Kingdom were affected by the Summer Bank Holiday, with the London Stock Exchange and Aquis Exchange closed on August 31. The closure reduced trading activity in the U.K. and contributed to differences in regional market participation.

Asia: China and South Korea Advance as Regional Markets Diverge

Asian markets delivered a mixed performance on August 31, 2026. China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.86%, while South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index rose 0.46%. The Hang Seng declined 0.07%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.14%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.18%, while India’s S&P BSE Sensex fell 0.50%. The Japanese Yen Index decreased 0.42%, and the Australian Dollar Index declined 0.42%.

Several Asian markets were closed for local holidays on August 31. The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange was closed for Constitution Day, while the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in Malaysia was closed for National Day. The Philippines Stock Exchange was closed for National Heroes Day. Both the Hanoi Stock Exchange and Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange in Vietnam were closed for Independence Day.

The combination of gains in China and South Korea and declines across several other major Asian markets highlighted continued divergence across the region.

Tel Aviv: Major Domestic Benchmarks Close Lower

Tel Aviv equities declined on August 31, 2026, with losses across most major domestic benchmarks. The TA-35 fell 0.81%, while the TA-125 declined 0.62%. The TA-90 slipped 0.12%, and the TA-SME60 fell 0.39%.

The TA 90 and Banks index was unchanged, while the TA-200 declined 0.19% and the TA Sector-Balance index fell 0.14%. The TA-20 declined 0.67%.

Market breadth was negative. Within the TA-35, 16 securities advanced and 20 declined. Across the TA-90, 35 securities gained while 52 declined. The TA-125 recorded 51 advancing securities and 72 declining securities.

Equity market turnover reached approximately NIS 2.74 billion for the TA-35 and approximately NIS 3.71 billion for the TA-125. The data showed a weaker domestic equity session with declines concentrated across the leading benchmarks.

Outlook for September 1, 2026: Policy Expectations and Vietnam Market Closures in Focus

Global markets enter September 1, 2026, with investors focused on monetary policy expectations, inflation developments, economic indicators, corporate earnings, and geopolitical risks. Incoming data will be assessed for its implications for interest-rate expectations, asset valuations, currency positioning, and broader risk appetite.

Corporate earnings and forward guidance will remain important for investors evaluating equity valuations and expectations for economic growth. Geopolitical developments and international capital flows could also influence positioning, particularly where shifts in interest-rate expectations affect currency and equity allocations.

Asian trading conditions on September 1 will be affected by Independence Day closures in Vietnam. The Hanoi Stock Exchange and Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange will be closed, reducing local trading activity and liquidity in the Vietnamese market.

Currency markets will remain an important source of cross-asset signals as investors assess changes in monetary policy expectations and international capital flows. Regional differences in market participation and liquidity could contribute to uneven performance across global markets.

Overall, September 1, 2026, is expected to bring selective positioning as investors evaluate new economic information, central-bank expectations, corporate developments, geopolitical risks, and regional liquidity conditions. Market participants will focus on whether incoming catalysts reinforce or challenge current expectations across global equities, currencies, and other major asset classes.