Global markets on February 12, 2026, reflected heightened volatility and selective performance across regions. U.S. equities sold off, particularly in technology and small-cap segments, as AI-related concerns and inflation anticipation influenced sentiment. European indices remained mixed, and Asia saw modest declines, with Taiwan markets closed for a holiday. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange delivered broad gains, highlighting the resilience of local banking and diversified indices. Looking toward February 13, investors are likely to monitor U.S. macro signals, currency flows, and regional liquidity.

Americas: U.S. Tech Under Pressure as Volatility Surges

U.S. markets experienced a sharp sell-off on February 12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.34% to 49,451.98, while the S&P 500 fell 1.57% to 6,832.76. The Nasdaq Composite declined 2.03% to 22,597.15, with Russell 2000 falling 2.01% to 2,615.83. The VIX surged 17.96% to 20.82, reflecting elevated investor anxiety. Canadian equities followed suit, with the S&P/TSX Composite index down 2.37% to 32,465.28, showing broad North American risk aversion.

Technology shares, particularly those linked to artificial intelligence, underperformed as investors questioned sustainability and valuations. The US Dollar Index remained largely stable at 96.96 (+0.04%), indicating a balanced response in currency markets despite equity volatility. As markets move into February 13, volatility is likely to persist, with traders closely watching sector rotations, U.S. bond yields, and forward guidance from corporate earnings reports to gauge near-term equity performance.

Europe: Mixed Results with Defensive Sectors Stabilizing Indices

European equities closed mixed on February 12. France’s CAC 40 gained 0.33% to 8,340.56, buoyed by defensive sectors and steady banking performance. Germany’s DAX remained largely flat at 24,852.69, while the FTSE 100 fell 0.67% to 10,402.44. Broader indices such as MSCI Europe, EURO STOXX 50, and Euronext 100 lost between 0.30% and 0.40%. Currency movements were muted, with the Euro Index at 118.64 (-0.08%) and the British Pound Index at 136.21 (-0.05%).

Investors in Europe remained cautious ahead of U.S. macro data and sector-specific developments. Defensive sectors and blue-chip stocks provided relative stability, offsetting broader risk-off sentiment. February 13 could see selective sector performance, with utilities, healthcare, and financials expected to maintain resilience, while cyclicals and high-beta equities may continue to underperform due to global risk aversion.

Asia: Modest Declines with Taiwan Closed for Holiday

Asian equities closed lower on February 12, reflecting a cautious regional tone. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.76% to 57,203.29, China’s SSE Composite Index declined 0.70% to 4,105.04, and India’s S&P BSE SENSEX lost 0.81% to 82,994.77. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.31% to 8,925.10, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.77% to 26,553.54. Selective gains were recorded in South Korea and Japan, with the KOSPI Composite rising 0.32% to 5,540.11 and the Japanese Yen Index up 0.34% to 65.47. Taiwan markets were closed for a holiday, limiting regional technology exposure.

Currency movements contributed to market sensitivity, as the Australian Dollar Index declined 0.52% to 70.87. With Taiwan reopening on February 13, investors will monitor potential volatility in semiconductor and technology sectors, as well as currency and liquidity flows across the Asia-Pacific region.

Israel Market / Tel Aviv: Broad-Based Gains Lead Domestic Markets

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange outperformed global peers on February 12. The TA-35 index rose 0.72% to 4,190.56, the TA-90 advanced 0.73% to 4,094.51, and the TA-90 Banks Index gained 1.26% to 4,341.67. The TA-125 increased 0.75% to 4,167.23, while the TA-125 Value index surged 1.70% to 4,453.09. Overall market turnover was robust, with equities trading 5.54 billion NIS and bonds trading 5.28 billion NIS.

Banking and diversified sectors drove local performance, supported by domestic liquidity and investor confidence. The bond market showed modest gains, indicating stability in fixed-income allocations. For February 13, Tel Aviv markets are expected to remain influenced by global risk sentiment, U.S. inflation data, and selective sector rotations, although domestic fundamentals provide a buffer against external shocks.

Outlook for February 13, 2026: Watching Volatility, Inflation, and Sector Rotation

Markets open February 13 with elevated attention on U.S. macro data, technology sector volatility, and cross-border capital flows. Investors should focus on the U.S. CPI and bond market signals, European sector performance, and the reopening of Taiwan’s markets for semiconductor exposure. In Israel, domestic equity and bond stability provides relative support, but global developments will likely drive short-term adjustments. Monitoring liquidity, sector rotations, and currency fluctuations remains essential for preserving capital and navigating multi-market exposures.