Daily Market Report – February 17, 2026
On this Tuesday, February 17, 2026, trading was overall calm, as large parts of Asia experienced only limited activity due to the Lunar New Year holiday, and the US returned fully to the market only after the extended weekend. The S&P 500 Index and the Nasdaq are virtually unchanged.
Diplomacy was in focus: Progress in the US-Iran nuclear talks pressured oil prices, as the risk of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz decreases. At the same time, gold lost its appeal as geopolitical hedging was less in demand. Investors are also watching the resumption of talks regarding the Ukraine war.
In the foreign exchange and bond markets, the focus shifted to the upcoming Fed minutes and further economic data. The dollar remained stable, while the yen appreciated slightly following recent political developments in Japan; at the same time, markets continue to price in several interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve over the course of the year. In Europe, a weaker labor market dampened yields and fueled expectations for easing by the Bank of England.