Asian Shares Rise as Most Markets Closed for Lunar New Year

Japan's Nikkei index gains over 1% as U.S. futures remain flat

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Shares in Asia are higher, with Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark gaining more than 1% after a quiet finish for U.S. stocks. Most markets in Asia stayed closed for Lunar New Year holidays. U.S. futures were flat and oil prices edged higher.

Why it matters

The performance of Asian markets, especially Japan's Nikkei, provides insight into the broader global economic trends and investor sentiment, even as many regional markets remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The details

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 added 1.2% to 57,249.43 by midday as lawmakers prepared to reappoint Sanae Takaichi as prime minister following a landslide victory for her ruling Liberal Democrats in a recent election. Technology companies led the advance, with computer chipmaker Tokyo Electron gaining 3.5%. However, SoftBank Group's shares fell 2% after the U.S. announced a $33 billion natural gas facility deal involving its subsidiary SB Energy.

  • On Tuesday, U.S. stocks flipped between gains and losses.
  • The Lunar New Year holidays are currently underway across most of Asia.

The players

Nikkei 225

Japan's benchmark stock index, which gained over 1% in trading on Wednesday.

Sanae Takaichi

The prime minister of Japan, who is expected to be reappointed following her party's landslide election victory.

SoftBank Group

The Japanese technology and energy conglomerate, whose shares fell 2% after a U.S. natural gas facility deal involving its subsidiary.

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The takeaway

The performance of the Nikkei 225 index, despite most other Asian markets remaining closed, suggests that investors in Japan are optimistic about the country's economic outlook and the political stability following the recent election results.