Finance
Morning Bid: Quiet markets, loud diplomacy: All eyes on Iran
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Iran-U.S. diplomacy impacts quiet global markets with key economic data releases anticipated this week.
Global Markets Watch: Focus on Iran Amidst Quiet Trading Conditions
Market Overview and Key Developments
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rocky Swift
Geopolitical Influences
With much of Asia shut for Lunar New Year holidays, all eyes turned to the Middle East on hopes that talks between the U.S. and Iran will de-escalate geopolitical tensions.
Economic Data Releases
Oil prices were higher and gold fell after U.S. President Donald Trump said that he would be involved "indirectly" in talks over Tehran's nuclear program set for Tuesday in Geneva, adding he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal.
Market Reactions
Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea markets were closed, keeping activity subdued in financial markets following a break in the U.S. for Presidents' Day.
With few catalysts on the day, traders looked ahead to other key data points this week, including Fed minutes on Wednesday and U.S. GDP figures on Friday.
Britain, Canada and Japan are also due to publish inflation data this week. These price readings have become even more crucial for markets after the Reserve Bank of Australia earlier this month became the first major central bank, excluding Japan's special case, to raise rates after the post-COVID easing cycle.
The RBA said on Tuesday it had concluded inflation would stay stubbornly high if it had not hiked interest rates.
In early European trades, the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures were down 0.35% to 5,975, German DAX futures slid 0.39% to 24,774, and FTSE futures lost 0.18% to 10,422. U.S. stock futures, the S&P 500 e-minis, were down 0.46% at 6,819.
Key developments that could influence markets on Tuesday:
- Earnings from Kerry Group, InterContinental Hotels, Carrefour SA
- Germany CPI final for January
- ZEW surveys for euro zone, Germany
- UK jobs data
- Debt: reopening of 2-year debt auction in Germany, reopening of 2-year and 6-year auctions in the UK
(Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Key Takeaways
- •Iran-U.S. talks aim to ease geopolitical tensions.
- •Oil prices rise as gold falls amid diplomatic developments.
- •Asian markets closed for Lunar New Year, affecting trading volume.
- •Key economic data releases expected from major economies.
- •European and U.S. stock futures show slight declines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Morning Bid: Quiet markets, loud diplomacy: All eyes on Iran
1What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. It is typically measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
2What is monetary policy?
Monetary policy refers to the actions taken by a country's central bank to control the money supply and interest rates to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as controlling inflation and stabilizing currency.
3What are financial markets?
Financial markets are platforms where buyers and sellers engage in the trade of assets such as stocks, bonds, currencies, and derivatives, facilitating capital allocation and investment.
4What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period, typically measured by the rise in GDP.
