Global equity markets opened the first trading session of 2026 on a mixed note, with US benchmarks showing mild pressure while Asian markets displayed selective resilience amid thin holiday volumes.
In the US, futures indicated a subdued tone. Dow Jones Futures traded slightly higher at 48,143.57, up 0.17%, while broader markets faced profit-taking. The S&P 500 slipped 0.74% to 6,845.50 and the Nasdaq fell 0.71% to 23,253.63, reflecting caution after a strong close to 2025 and ahead of key macro and earnings cues later this month.
Asian markets largely tracked the cautious global mood. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.37% to 50,339.48, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.87% to 25,630.54 amid lingering concerns over growth and capital flows. In contrast, mainland China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.09% to 3,968.84, supported by selective buying in large-cap stocks.
For India, Gift Nifty trading at 26,341.50, up 0.25%, pointed to a flat-to-positive start for domestic equities in the first session of the new year, even as global cues remain mixed. Market participants are expected to stay stock-specific, with low volatility and cautious positioning likely to define early 2026 trade.
