Why do lunar new year markets matter for UK investors?

When Asia shuts for holidays, global liquidity drops and price discovery weakens. That can cause wider spreads and sharper gaps once flows return. For UK investors in US tech, it means using smaller positions, staged orders, and stop-losses, while tracking Asia headlines that can swing sentiment when desks reopen.

What does the Japan GDP miss imply for tech-heavy indices?

A weaker Japan print signals slower regional demand and can dent risk appetite, especially when liquidity is thin. If growth worries spread, high-multiple tech may wobble first. Monitor forward guidance, cash flow trends, and key support levels on the Nasdaq 100 to judge whether dips are orderly or broadening.

How should I handle Nasdaq futures around thin holiday trading?

Reduce size, define risk clearly, and avoid chasing early moves. Thin tapes can overshoot. Use alerts around key reference points, such as the Bollinger mid near 25,334 and the 50-day near 25,437. Consider trading only the most liquid sessions and keep a close eye on spreads and slippage.

Which levels on ^NDX are most important this week?

We focus on the Bollinger middle band near 25,334 as a sentiment pivot. The 50-day average near 25,437 flags trend strength, while the 200-day near 23,859 marks long-term support. A sustained move above the mid-band helps calm nerves; a break toward 24,500 would warn of renewed selling.

Global Market Insights

^NDX Today, February 16: Holiday Lull as Japan GDP Disappoints

ByDanny Kontos February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

Lunar new year markets kept activity muted today, with thin holiday trading across Asia and a sharp Japan GDP miss souring risk appetite. Nasdaq futures were only slightly higher, hinting at fragile tech sentiment as UK investors weigh AI capex rotation risk and a packed data calendar. We focus on what this means for the Nasdaq 100, why liquidity matters for pricing, and which signals to track into Friday’s global PMIs and US GDP. Position sizing, currency effects, and clear levels are key in this tape.