Global Stocks Rise In First Trading Session Of 2026 As Risk Appetite Returns

Global equity markets opened the first full trading session of 2026 on a positive note as fresh capital flows and renewed risk appetite lifted sentiment after the holiday break. With liquidity gradually returning, investors stepped back into equities, particularly in sectors viewed as beneficiaries of lower interest rates.

U.S. futures pointed higher early in the session, while European and Asian markets led gains as fund managers began deploying new-year allocations. Technology, industrials, and consumer discretionary stocks outperformed, reflecting optimism that easing monetary policy will support growth later in the year.

Bond markets were relatively calm, with Treasury yields holding near late-December levels. The stability in rates helped underpin equity gains, as investors avoided aggressive repositioning ahead of upcoming U.S. labor and inflation data.

In FX markets, the U.S. dollar softened slightly as traders continued to price in rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in 2026. The euro and pound edged higher, while commodity-linked currencies found support amid improved risk sentiment.

Gold traded marginally lower as appetite for risk assets increased, though the metal remains supported by expectations of easier monetary conditions and lingering macro uncertainty. Oil prices edged higher as traders anticipated a gradual pickup in demand into the new year.

For traders, the first session of 2026 reinforced a familiar pattern: early optimism driven by fresh flows rather than fundamentals. The durability of the move will depend on how quickly upcoming data either validates or challenges expectations for rate cuts and economic stabilization in the months ahead.