Coin Newsweek – February 27, 2026 – Global financial markets are experiencing a sharp divergence on Friday as investors grapple with inflation data and corporate earnings across different regions. US futures point lower ahead of critical PPI data, while European stocks are hitting fresh record highs with an eight-month winning streak not seen since 2012-2013. Chinese markets are presenting a complex picture led by AI-focused stocks.
United States: Futures Fall Ahead of Key Inflation Data
US stock futures fell on Friday as investors prepare for the January Producer Price Index (PPI) report due at 8:30 AM ET. Economists expect wholesale inflation to rise 0.3% monthly, with core PPI also expected to increase 0.3%. This data could reignite concerns that inflation remains sticky and may delay the Fed’s rate cut plans.
The cautious sentiment follows a mixed close on Thursday, with tech stocks leading the decline. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.2% to 22,878.38, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.5% to 6,908.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a modest gain. Sector rotation was evident as technology and communication services lagged while financials rose 1.3%, bucking the trend.
Wells Fargo Global Equity Strategist Doug Beath described this movement as a “healthy rotation and expansion in markets,” noting it’s a positive indicator that “economic growth will accelerate this year.” The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) rose 3.9% to 18.63, reflecting increased investor anxiety, while CME Group’s FedWatch tool shows markets pricing a 96.1% probability that rates will remain unchanged in March.
European Markets: Eighth Consecutive Monthly Gain
The picture across the Atlantic is markedly different. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.1% to 634.16, heading for its eighth consecutive monthly gain—the longest winning streak since 2012-2013. The EURO STOXX 50 gained 0.4% to 6,180, up approximately 4% in February.
Strong corporate earnings are driving this exceptional performance. Swiss Re jumped 4.8% after reporting a 50% increase in net profit, while IAG (owner of British Airways and Iberia) gained 0.5% following record financial results. However, not all stocks participated in the rally. Delivery Hero fell 5.2% due to competitive pressures and challenging economic conditions.
On the macroeconomic front, preliminary inflation data from France and Spain surprised to the upside, while banking stocks fell over 0.4% as investors monitored sector exposure to a UK mortgage firm that entered administration.
Chinese Markets: Mixed Performance with AI Strength
Asian sessions presented a more complex picture. The Shanghai Composite Index recovered afternoon losses to close up 0.35% at 4,161.23, while the tech-heavy ChiNext Composite Index fell 0.93%. This divergence suggests a market in transition.
Morgan Stanley analysts attributed early weakness to post-holiday position rebalancing, while the afternoon recovery was driven by expectations that the upcoming National People’s Congress will announce support measures for technology, innovation, and domestic demand. AI hardware concepts remained active, showing structural resilience even as broader indices softened.
Hong Kong markets outperformed their mainland counterparts. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.75% in morning trading to 26,578.03, led by tech stocks. The Hang Seng Tech Index recovered 1% after three days of declines. UBS analysts noted that investor sentiment toward undervalued stocks, reflation trades, and essential consumer goods like baijiu and dairy products remains positive.
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Global Market Summary: A Tale of Three Regions
Friday’s trading session highlighted the increasingly divergent paths of major global markets. The United States faces inflation uncertainty and tech sector weakness, Europe continues its historic rally supported by strong earnings, and China navigates a complex recovery led by technology.
Key factors to watch in the coming weeks:
📌 US: PPI and upcoming CPI data
📌 Europe: Sticky inflation and ECB response
📌 China: Stimulus packages and technology policies from the National People’s Congress
As February comes to a close, investors will closely monitor the outcomes of China’s National People’s Congress, additional inflation data from the US and Europe, and ongoing corporate earnings reports.
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Sources: CNBC, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Reuters, UBS, Morgan Stanley
Disclaimer: This content is for market information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency and stock market investments involve high risk.
