Global markets ended January 29 on a cautious note, reflecting heightened sensitivity to U.S. macro data, regional inflation expectations, and corporate earnings updates. Investors navigated mixed signals across equities, currencies, and fixed income, with selective buying in defensive and large-cap names counterbalanced by broader risk-off sentiment in Europe and Asia. The Tel Aviv market also saw marginal declines, aligning with subdued global risk appetite ahead of the final trading day of the week.

U.S. Market Overview

In the Americas, major indices traded in mixed territory. The Dow 30 gained 0.11% to 49,071.56, and the Russell 2000 added 0.05% to 2,654.78, showing resilience among industrials and small-cap segments. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq fell 0.72% to 23,685.12, and the S&P 500 edged down 0.13% to 6,969.01, reflecting pressure on technology and growth stocks. The VIX climbed 3.24% to 16.88, signaling a slight uptick in market volatility, while the U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.28% to 96.55, offering safe-haven support amid cautious trading. Fixed income and Treasury yields saw modest adjustments as investors recalibrated rate expectations for the coming months.

European Market Performance

European equities ended mixed-to-lower. Germany’s DAX experienced the largest decline at -2.07% to 24,309.46, while the EURO STOXX 50 fell 0.70% to 5,891.95, highlighting ongoing investor caution around growth and geopolitical risks. The FTSE 100 rose slightly by 0.17% to 10,171.76, supported by defensive sectors and commodity-linked stocks. Euro and British Pound indices were relatively stable, suggesting limited currency-driven volatility despite mixed equity sentiment. Market participants appeared focused on upcoming economic data and corporate earnings updates to gauge broader European growth momentum.

Asian Market Summary

Asia showed broad weakness, with the Hang Seng leading losses, down 1.85% to 27,451.42, reflecting concerns over corporate earnings and geopolitical tensions. China’s SSE Composite declined 1.19% to 4,108.46, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 eased 0.33% to 53,201.99. In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.32% to 5,237.71, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell only modestly by 0.71% to 8,864.50, indicating selective investor confidence in the region. Currency markets were relatively stable, with the Japanese Yen Index up 0.21% and the Australian Dollar Index up 0.22%, supporting a cautious but balanced regional outlook.

Tel Aviv Stock Market Recap

The Tel Aviv market closed mixed-to-lower on January 29. TA-35 fell marginally by 0.04% to 3,978.87, with nearly balanced activity between advancing and declining shares. TA-90 and TA-90 Banks indices recorded larger declines of 0.81% and 0.90%, respectively, indicating sector-specific pressures, particularly in financials. Trading volume totaled approximately 4.37 billion NIS in equities, while bond market turnover reached 9.93 billion NIS. Broader bond indices, including All-Bond and L-Bond series, were largely stable, signaling moderate investor interest in fixed income as a hedge against equity volatility.

Outlook for January 30, 2026

As markets open on January 30, attention will remain on U.S. macro data, corporate earnings updates, and global risk sentiment. Investors are expected to monitor volatility indices, bond yields, and currency movements closely for guidance on potential market direction. In Europe, selective sector strength may offset broader caution, while Asian markets will likely continue reacting to corporate earnings, policy signals, and regional liquidity flows. For Tel Aviv, domestic indices may track global trends, with particular sensitivity to foreign capital flows and Israeli macroeconomic updates. Overall, disciplined positioning and risk management will remain critical as markets navigate ongoing uncertainty.