Market Summary - February 12, 2026
In a significant market update, Asian equity markets have continued their impressive start to 2026, with the Nikkei 225 and KOSPI reaching record highs. This marks the fifth consecutive day of gains in the region, driven by strong corporate earnings and a robust growth outlook.
Asian Markets Performance
The Nikkei 225 index broke the 58,000 mark for the first time, closing at 57,639.84 after hitting an intraday high of 58,015.08. The index has surged nearly 15% year-to-date. The KOSPI also saw a remarkable 3% increase, fueled by a global demand for AI-driven chips, with major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix seeing their stock prices rise significantly.
European Market Trends
European equities followed suit, with the pan-European STOXX 600 climbing 0.7% to reach 625.86 points. The CAC 40 index outperformed with a gain of over 1.4%. Positive corporate earnings reports, particularly from companies like Legrand and Hermes, bolstered market confidence. Additionally, a major acquisition in the financial sector saw shares of Schroders soar by 30% after being acquired by Nuveen.
Currency Movements
The Japanese yen experienced its largest weekly gain in over a year, climbing approximately 2.8% against the US dollar. This shift has put pressure on the dollar, which has shown signs of weakness despite strong US labor data. The Australian dollar also reached a three-year high, while the Chinese yuan appreciated, crossing the 6.90 per dollar mark.
Commodity Prices
Gold prices dipped slightly, influenced by strong US labor data that dampened expectations for imminent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Spot gold fell to $5,064.29 per ounce. In the energy sector, oil prices saw modest gains amid geopolitical tensions, with Brent crude rising to $69.75 a barrel.
Market Outlook
Looking ahead, the market is expected to remain volatile, particularly for the US dollar, which may struggle to find support unless upcoming inflation data shows significant upward surprises. The Dollar Index is anticipated to stabilize around the 97.0 level.
Key Takeaways:
- Nikkei 225 and KOSPI hit record highs.
- European markets buoyed by strong corporate earnings.
- Japanese yen surges, putting pressure on the US dollar.
- Gold prices decline amid strong labor data.
- Oil prices rise slightly due to geopolitical tensions.
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