- orshu
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- 5 Min Read
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- 4 hours ago
Key Points
- Japan declined while India and Australia posted modest gains in limited regional participation.
- Major Asian exchanges including China, Hong Kong, and South Korea were closed for Lunar New Year holidays.
- Thin liquidity conditions reduced volatility and cross-border capital flows across the region.
Asian markets ended February 17, 2026, on a mixed note as widespread Lunar New Year closures significantly reduced trading activity across the region. With several major exchanges suspended for holiday observances, only a handful of markets drove overall performance.
Investor participation remained measured, and price action reflected localized positioning rather than broad regional momentum.
Markets That Traded
Among active exchanges, India and Australia recorded moderate gains, while Japan edged lower.
• S&P BSE Sensex: 83,452.10 (+0.21%)
• S&P/ASX 200: 8,958.90 (+0.24%)
• Nikkei 225: 56,566.49 (-0.42%)
• Japanese Yen Index: 65.47 (-0.00%)
• Australian Dollar Index: 70.75 (-0.17%)
India’s Sensex continued to show resilience, supported by domestic financial and consumer sectors. Australia’s benchmark index advanced despite a slight pullback in the Australian dollar, indicating equity-specific strength.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.42%, reflecting cautious positioning in a region experiencing reduced liquidity.
Currency markets remained stable, with minimal movement in the Japanese yen and modest softness in the Australian dollar.
Exchanges Closed for Lunar New Year
A significant portion of Asia’s financial markets remained closed due to Lunar New Year celebrations:
• Shanghai Stock Exchange — Chinese New Year
• Shenzhen Stock Exchange — Chinese New Year
• Hong Kong Stock Exchange — Lunar New Year
• Indonesia Stock Exchange — Lunar New Year (Imlek)
• Philippine Stock Exchange — Chinese New Year
• Singapore Exchange — Lunar New Year
• Korea Exchange — Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year)
• Taiwan Stock Exchange — Chinese New Year
• Hanoi Stock Exchange — Lunar New Year
• Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange — Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)
The widespread shutdowns limited cross-border flows and contributed to subdued overall market dynamics.
Outlook
As exchanges gradually reopen later this week, trading volumes are expected to increase. Post-holiday sessions often generate sharper price movements as deferred orders and capital repositioning return to the market.
For now, Asia’s mixed close reflects selective strength in open markets, stability in currency trading, and a regional environment shaped heavily by holiday-driven inactivity.
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