🌅 Morning Update – 20 February 2026 Escalating geopolitical risk continues to shape global markets as tensions between the US and Iran weigh on investor sentiment. Asian equities opened lower, with Japan’s Nikkei down around 1 % and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng under pressure, as traders remain cautious amid heightened risk aversion. 🧨 🛢 Oil climbed to the highest levels in about six months, with Brent trading in the 71–72 USD per barrel zone on fears of potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Higher crude prices are also lending support to energy stocks across several markets. 📉 Global equities remain fragile. US stock futures signal a cautious tone after a sell-off in private equity names and continued weakness in technology shares pulled Wall Street lower. European indices are mixed as investors rotate towards safer assets. 💵 The US dollar is strengthening and is on track for one of its best weeks in months. Solid economic data and expectations that the Federal Reserve will remain cautious on rate cuts, given persistent inflation risks, continue to underpin the greenback. 🌏 Asian markets are mixed overall. South Korea’s Kospi is outperforming, while Tokyo and other regional bourses lag. Indian benchmarks are trading unevenly as currency weakness and elevated energy prices weigh on sentiment. 📊 What’s ahead: Investors are watching upcoming releases including Japan’s CPI, UK retail sales and flash PMIs, as well as US preliminary PMIs and Q4 GDP data. These figures are expected to provide clearer signals on global growth and inflation trends amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Stay alert and manage risk wisely. 🚀