Equity markets navigated a complex backdrop on February 11, 2026, as regional performance diverged. Strong gains in Latin America and parts of Asia were offset by muted activity in North America and Europe. Market participants appeared cautious ahead of upcoming economic indicators, particularly U.S. inflation data and central bank guidance, while Tel Aviv indices reflected selective profit-taking amid broader global volatility.

Americas: Latin America Surges as U.S. Futures Stabilize

Equities in the Americas posted a mixed performance on February 11. Brazil’s IBOVESPA rallied 2.03% to 189,699, led by strong gains in commodity and financial sectors, signaling renewed investor confidence in Latin American risk assets. In contrast, U.S. indices were largely flat, with the S&P 500 closing at 6,941.47 (-0.00%), Dow 30 at 50,121.40 (-0.13%), and Nasdaq at 23,066.47 (-0.16%). Small-cap Russell 2000 slipped 0.38%, reflecting cautious positioning in riskier equities. Treasury yields stabilized and the US Dollar Index held near 96.82, suggesting investors were balancing risk exposure against expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Volatility measured by the VIX declined 0.79% to 17.65, indicating moderate investor confidence.

Europe: Modest Losses Amid Stabilizing Currency and Sector Rotation

European equities posted modest declines overall. The FTSE 100 advanced 1.14% to 10,472, buoyed by energy and materials sectors, while the broader EU indices showed mixed results. Euronext 100 edged down 0.06% to 1,801.39, CAC 40 fell 0.18% to 8,313.24, EURO STOXX 50 lost 0.19% to 6,035.64, and Germany’s DAX slipped 0.53% to 24,856.15. The Euro Index declined 0.19% to 118.74 and the British Pound Index fell 0.10%, highlighting moderate currency pressure alongside a selective rotation of equity sectors. Investors appeared to favor defensive positioning and income-generating assets, reflecting sensitivity to global growth signals and central bank communications.

Asia: Strong Gains in South Korea and Mixed Regional Performance

Asian markets delivered broad but uneven gains. South Korea’s KOSPI Composite surged 2.73% to 5,500.91, driven by technology and export-oriented sectors. Australian S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.49% to 9,058.80, while the Australian Dollar Index advanced 0.69% to 71.24, signaling improving confidence in regional commodities and financials. China’s SSE Composite inched up 0.12% to 4,137.06, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose slightly 0.09% to 57,699.74, supported by yen stability (JPY Index +0.73% to 65.25). Indian S&P BSE SENSEX fell 0.31% to 83,968.43, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng retreated 0.88% to 27,025.36. Taiwan Stock Exchange was closed for a holiday, reducing regional liquidity and slightly moderating volatility in neighboring markets.

Tel Aviv: Mixed Trading as Investors Navigate Global Volatility

Tel Aviv equities declined on February 11, with TA-35 dropping 0.79% to 4,160.40 amid cautious trading and a total turnover of approximately ₪5.3 billion. Broader bond indices were mostly flat, with short-term bonds rising slightly (+0.02%) while most TA-125 and sectoral indices posted minor losses. TA-125 Banks and TA Sector-Balance fell 0.13% and 0.25%, respectively, reflecting a defensive stance among institutional investors. Market breadth was negative, with a higher number of declining issues compared to advancing stocks. The bond market showed stability, supporting the view that investors were balancing equity risk with fixed-income positions.

Outlook for February 12, 2026

As February 12 trading unfolds, global investors are likely to remain focused on macroeconomic indicators, particularly U.S. inflation and labor data, which could influence equity and fixed-income performance across all regions. Currency stability and Treasury yields will continue to guide positioning, while selective sector rotation is expected in Europe and Tel Aviv. Asian markets may extend early momentum, especially in South Korea and Australia, but liquidity remains constrained due to the Taiwan holiday. Investors should watch for volatility spikes in technology and small-cap segments, with potential opportunities in defensive and income-oriented assets.