Global equity markets enter the week on solid footing, with major indices across the United States, Europe, and Asia continuing to post positive returns. While performance remains differentiated across regions, sustained risk appetite and resilient corporate earnings have supported the broader equity market throughout 2026.
In the United States, the S&P 500 stands at 7,757.64, delivering a total return of 2.07% over the past week and 2.45% over the past month. The index is now up 13.84% year-to-date, reflecting continued investor confidence and resilient corporate earnings through the first half of the year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has followed a similar trajectory, gaining 1.61% over the past week and 2.69% over the past month, bringing its year-to-date return to 12.66%. The Nasdaq Composite remains the strongest-performing major US index in 2026, up 15.24% year-to-date. Its 3.00% gain over the past week suggests continued momentum across technology and growth-oriented companies, following a period of consolidation during July.
European equities are also maintaining a constructive tone. The Euro Stoxx 50 has gained 14.76% year-to-date, marginally outperforming the S&P 500 in local currency terms. Its 4.70% advance over the past month represents the strongest monthly performance among the major European indices.
Germany's DAX has risen 5.36% over the past month and 1.57% over the past week, although its 7.62% year-to-date return continues to lag regional peers amid ongoing challenges facing Germany's industrial and export-oriented economy. The UK's FTSE 100 has performed more strongly over the year, gaining 11.65%, supported by easing inflation dynamics and a more accommodative monetary policy environment.
Asia remains the standout region, led by Japan. The Nikkei 225 advanced 2.08% in the latest session to close at 66,970.22, extending its remarkable year-to-date gain to 30.31%—the strongest performance among the major global indices covered. Japanese equities continue to benefit from corporate governance reforms, Yen weakness supporting exporters, and sustained foreign investor inflows.
Hong Kong has also experienced renewed momentum, with the Hang Seng gaining 7.35% over the past month. However, its year-to-date return remains modest at 0.46%, highlighting the extent of the market's earlier weakness. Mainland Chinese equities have also improved recently, with the Shanghai Composite gaining 4.15% over the past week, although both the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 remain broadly flat for the year.
Supporting the broader regional picture, emerging market ETFs have now recorded four consecutive weeks of inflows totaling $12.7 billion, providing an additional positive technical backdrop for Asian and emerging market equities.
Overall, global equity markets continue to demonstrate strong momentum, with US and European indices maintaining double-digit year-to-date returns and Japan remaining the clear global outperformer. Recent gains across Hong Kong and mainland China also point to improving short-term momentum across previously weaker Asian markets.
