Global equities saw broadly positive trading on February 24, 2026, as investors digested macroeconomic signals, corporate earnings, and currency movements. US markets led the advance, reflecting optimism over economic stability and a slight pullback in volatility measures. European markets showed mixed responses, while Asia-Pacific equities continued their recovery, despite a softer performance in India. In Israel, Tel Aviv indices faced notable losses, highlighting the divergence between regional and global trends.

Americas: US Stocks Rally as Risk Appetite Returns

On February 24, US equities posted strong gains, with the Nasdaq climbing 1.04% to 22,863.68, the S&P 500 up 0.77% at 6,890.07, and the Dow 30 advancing 0.76% to 49,174.50. The Russell 2000 jumped 1.20% to 2,652.33, highlighting renewed appetite for small-cap stocks, while Brazil’s IBOVESPA surged 1.40% to 191,490.41. Market optimism was supported by a modest decline in the US Dollar Index, which eased 0.10% to 97.74, coupled with a sharp drop in the VIX to 19.55, down 6.95%, indicating reduced market volatility. Investors favored growth-oriented sectors and cyclical plays as macroeconomic indicators suggested stable activity in key industries.

Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite also posted gains of 0.57%, closing at 33,970.38, reflecting broad-based strength in resource and energy stocks. Overall, February 24 saw a positive session for the Americas, with equity markets benefitting from risk-on sentiment and cross-border capital inflows.

Europe: Mixed Signals Across Major Indices

European equities showed a subdued performance on February 24. France’s CAC 40 rose 0.26% to 8,519.21, while the Euronext 100 climbed 0.21% to 1,837.08, and the MSCI Europe index edged higher by 0.06% to 2,816.24. Gains were modest, reflecting investor caution ahead of macroeconomic announcements and corporate earnings reports.

Meanwhile, Germany’s DAX fell slightly by 0.02% to 24,986.25, and the UK’s FTSE 100 declined 0.04% to 10,680.59. Currency movements were largely stable, with the Euro Index down 0.09% and the British Pound Index up marginally by 0.05%, indicating limited influence of FX fluctuations on equity performance. Investors appeared selective, focusing on sectors with resilient fundamentals and defensive characteristics as geopolitical considerations lingered.

Asia: Broad Gains Led by KOSPI and Nikkei

Asia-Pacific equities rallied on February 24, with South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index surging 2.47% to 6,117.03 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 advancing 1.44% to 58,145.08. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 1.06% to 9,118.00, while China’s SSE Composite rose 1.03% to 4,159.98. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also posted modest gains of 0.65% to 26,764.14.

Currency trends supported the regional rally. The Japanese Yen Index declined 0.81% to 64.15, boosting export-oriented sectors, while the Australian Dollar Index was largely stable at 70.58. India’s S&P BSE Sensex diverged, dropping 1.28% to 82,225.92, reflecting localized profit-taking and sensitivity to global macro signals. Overall, investor sentiment favored technology, industrials, and export-driven stocks, while caution persisted in markets exposed to emerging market volatility.

Israel / Tel Aviv: Sharp Losses on February 24

In contrast to global gains, Israel’s Tel Aviv indices posted significant declines. The TA-35 index fell 1.75% to 4,169.00, while the TA-90 index dropped 3.01% to 3,937.31. Broader measures, including the TA-125 and TA-125 Banks, were down 2.10% and 2.71%, respectively, indicating a widespread pullback across sectors. Bond markets were slightly weaker, with the All-Bond General index down 0.17%, reflecting cautious investor positioning and reduced risk appetite. Trading volumes remained robust, with 4.65 billion shekels in equities and 6.01 billion shekels in bonds changing hands.

The losses in Tel Aviv highlight a divergence from global equities, with local investors reacting to domestic macroeconomic pressures, sector-specific news, and potential geopolitical concerns.

Looking Ahead: February 25, 2026 – Key Factors to Monitor

As February 25 unfolds, investors will track the continuation of momentum from the Americas and Asia, observing whether strong US and South Korean performance extends into European and Israeli sessions. Key drivers include currency movements, regional economic data releases, corporate earnings, and potential geopolitical developments. In Israel, attention will remain on the interplay between macroeconomic pressures and local market liquidity. Globally, volatility indices and capital flows will be closely watched to gauge investor sentiment and risk appetite as markets navigate a complex environment.

This article provides a comprehensive snapshot of global and Israeli markets, situating February 24 performance in context while highlighting the critical factors for February 25 trading.