Asian shares gain as most regional markets stay closed for Lunar New Year holidays

February 18, 2026 - 05:06

Shares across Asia advanced on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index climbing over 1% to lead regional gains. The positive movement followed a subdued session on Wall Street, where major indexes closed with minimal change.

Trading activity was notably light, however, as major financial markets in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan remained shut for the Lunar New Year holidays. This thinned liquidity amplified moves in the open markets.

The focus in Japan was on corporate earnings, with several major firms releasing their results. Investor sentiment appeared resilient despite recent data confirming that Japan's economy had unexpectedly slipped into a recession, losing its position as the world's third-largest economy to Germany.

Elsewhere, U.S. futures pointed to a steady opening later in the day, indicating a wait-and-see attitude among global investors. In commodity markets, oil prices continued their recent upward trend, edging higher amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The overall market tone remained cautiously optimistic, with participants awaiting further directional cues once the full slate of Asian markets reopens.