Do you know that feeling that global stock markets today determine the direction of everything? Well, yes. Monitoring what happens in global trading sessions has become almost mandatory if you want to understand where the money is flowing. When the S&P 500 moves, when the Nasdaq dips, or when the Nikkei advances, we already start to get clues about what’s coming next.

The truth is that international markets function like a large thermometer. Interest rates, inflation, economic growth, company results, geopolitical tensions – all of this is reflected in real time in the indices. And in 2026, this has become even more evident. The IMF projects global growth of 3.3%, but with very divergent forces. In other words, the market remains highly attentive to any sign of change.

In the United States, the S&P 500 continues to be the main reference, comprising 500 large companies and covering about 80% of the available market capitalization. Then there’s the Nasdaq, which has become almost synonymous with technology and growth companies – much more sensitive to innovation sentiment than the S&P. And the Dow Jones, more traditional, with only 30 blue chips.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 remains the major British benchmark, while in Asia, the Nikkei 225 and the Hang Seng Index dominate the reading. Here, the Ibovespa continues to be our main benchmark, reflecting the weight of banks, commodities, and utilities.

What moves the global markets today is less an isolated factor and more a complex combination. Monetary policy, inflation, risk perception – all interconnected. When the Fed or the ECB change rates, it reverberates across entire markets. Oil rises due to geopolitical issues, the dollar fluctuates, and inflation recalibrates everything again. Corporate results also weigh heavily, but it’s not just the number itself – the market reacts much more to the deviation between what was expected and what was actually disclosed.

For those wanting to gain exposure to these markets without leaving Brazil, there are several options. International ETFs allow you to buy a diversified basket with a single share. BDRs work similarly but within B3 in reais. And for those who prefer a more active approach, index CFDs offer flexibility to capitalize on short- and medium-term movements.

Following global markets today is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity for those who want to diversify beyond Brazilian borders. Technology in the US, industry in Asia, energy in Europe – each region has its cycle, its strong sector. And in 2026, with this global dynamic so sensitive to interest rates and geopolitics, understanding these movements has become even more important to make more solid decisions about where to allocate capital.