Are U.S. stock exchanges open on February 17, 2026?

No. U.S. markets are closed February 17 for Presidents Day. NYSE and Nasdaq do not run regular trading, and U.S. cash Treasuries are shut. Some futures operate on modified hours, so liquidity is thin. Check your broker’s schedule before placing orders or managing stops.

How does the U.S. holiday affect Hong Kong trading today?

With the U.S. closed, overnight leads are limited and price discovery can slow. FX typically trades in narrower ranges, and ADR signals are weaker. We size positions modestly, avoid chasing illiquid prints, and focus on Asia catalysts, oil moves, and company headlines that can drive local sentiment.

What should we watch in the Walmart earnings preview?

We focus on store traffic, grocery mix, e-commerce and marketplace growth, membership trends, and guidance. Commentary on prices, wages, shrink, and private-label share can steer margins. A strong outlook may lift cyclicals; a cautious tone could weigh on risk when U.S. trading resumes after the holiday.

Is oil trading today and why does it matter to Hong Kong?

Oil futures typically trade, though on modified holiday hours. Price direction affects inflation expectations, airlines’ and shippers’ fuel costs, and energy producers’ revenue. Persistent gains can shift sector leadership toward energy and defensives, while weighing on travel, logistics, and parts of retail sensitive to fuel expenses.

When will U.S. markets reopen, and what are the near-term catalysts?

Regular U.S. equity trading resumes after the holiday. Near-term catalysts include Walmart’s results, energy headlines, and any fresh economic data later in the week. We also track index technicals around 6800–6915. Liquidity should normalize, so we reassess risk once full cash trading returns.

Global Market Insights

^GSPC Today, February 17: U.S. Markets Closed; Oil, Walmart Ahead

ByDanny Kontos February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

U.S. markets closed February 17 for Presidents Day keeps U.S. equity and bond trading offline, making the US stock market holiday 2026 a key scheduling note for Hong Kong desks. With fewer cues from New York, we expect quieter Asia flows and tighter ranges. Focus shifts to oil after rising Middle East risks and to Walmart’s results later this week. Our Walmart earnings preview outlines what could guide consumer sentiment and index futures when trading resumes. We also map the latest technical picture for the S&P 500 (^GSPC) to frame risk for the short week.