Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 0.86%, Shanghai Composite down 1.26%, Hang Seng up 0.52% ASX up 0.93%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,987.11 (-0.47%) Silver at $77.100 (-0.65%), Brent Oil at $70.56 (0.30%), WTI Oil at $65.30 (0.38%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.093, UK 10-year yield at 4.3750, Germany 10-year yield at 2.7428
News & Data:
- (CAD) Core Durable Goods Orders m/m 0.9% to 0.3% expected
- (CAD) Durable Goods Orders m/m -1.4% to -1.8% expected
Markets Update:
Asian markets are trading mostly higher on Thursday, supported by strong overnight cues from Wall Street, where technology stocks led gains as concerns about AI-related disruptions eased. Energy stocks also advanced sharply following a surge in oil prices. However, overall trading activity remained light, with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets closed for the Lunar New Year holidays. Most Asian markets ended higher on Wednesday as well.
The Australian market is extending gains for a fifth straight session, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising above the 9,100 level to fresh record highs. Strength is broad-based, led by mining, energy, financial and technology stocks. Major miners such as Rio Tinto and BHP are posting solid gains, while energy companies including Santos and Woodside Energy are also advancing. Banking stocks remain strong, with Westpac, ANZ and National Australia Bank moving higher. Technology shares are mixed, with Block surging but Zip plunging sharply amid profit-taking.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 is trading notably higher, driven by gains in financial and technology stocks. Companies such as Advantest, Screen Holdings and Tokyo Electron are rising strongly, while banking stocks including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial are advancing.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea and Southeast Asian markets are also higher. Meanwhile, strong U.S. tech performance, rising oil prices and positive global sentiment continue to support regional markets overall.
Upcoming Events:
- 01:30 PM GMT – USD Unemployment Claims
The post Thursday 19th February 2026: Asian Markets Rally as Tech Strength and Surging Oil Lift Sentiment first appeared on IC Markets | Official Blog.