Market Roundup: What Happened Yesterday and What We Can Expect Today (January 2nd)

A quiet start to global markets as 2026 begins, with cautious optimism in expectations for upcoming sessions.

Financial markets experienced relative calm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the start of the new year, as many global stock exchanges were closed for the New Year holiday. This was reflected in subdued liquidity levels and lighter trading volumes.

Globally, trading was halted in the United States and most European markets, limiting visibility into broader market trends. Some Asian markets recorded modest and mixed activity, with a slight bias toward stability in major indices as investors remained cautious and awaited a return to full market participation in the coming days.

Across regional markets, several Gulf exchanges opened the year with positive performance, supported by investor optimism around the economic outlook for 2026 and continued momentum in select leading stocks. However, trading volumes remained below typical session levels.

In commodities, gold prices were relatively stable during Thursday’s trading, following the declines seen toward the end of last year. The metal continues to be viewed as a safe-haven asset amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding global monetary policy. Other commodity prices also showed limited movement due to the slowdown in global market activity.

In currency markets, exchange rates stabilized across several emerging markets, including Egypt, as the absence of banking activity and muted demand helped keep the US dollar steady against local currencies.

In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin traded within a narrow range on Thursday, January 1, 2026, fluctuating between approximately $87,500 and $88,000. It settled near $87,700 by the close, showing little change from the end of 2025 amid reduced trading volumes and holiday-thinned liquidity.

Market outlook

Looking ahead, expectations point to continued calm, with a gradual resumption of trading in some markets and a cautious tilt toward improvement. Price movements are likely to remain confined to narrow ranges as investors await the full return of market participants and the release of fresh economic data, while select regional markets may attempt modest gains supported by improving sentiment at the start of the year.