Global markets mostly positive in 2026; Japan's Nikkei leads with 29.1% gain, India's Sensex down 10.8%.

As of May 26, 2026, seven of nine major global stock indexes are in positive territory for the year. Japan's Nikkei 225 leads with a strong 29.1% year-to-date gain, followed by the U.S. S&P 500 (+9.8%) and Canada's TSX (+9.3%). In contrast, India's BSE SENSEX has declined 10.8%, the worst performer among the group, while Germany's DAXK is slightly down by 0.1%. The report also compares these indexes' current levels to their historical peaks and reviews their performance since recent recessions, providing context for investors on global market trends and relative strength across regions.