Wednesday morning saw Asian equities rising despite persistent artificial-intelligence concerns, fresh US-Japan investment plans emerging, Nvidia expanding its India strategy, and diplomats advancing talks on Iran’s nuclear program alongside continued negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war.
Asian markets steady despite AI concerns
Asian equities advanced on Wednesday even as investors remained cautious about the global artificial-intelligence outlook.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.2%, snapping a three-day losing streak, while Australia’s S&P/ASX200 gained 0.54%.
India’s Nifty 50 fell 0.10%.
Several regional markets — mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea — were closed for Lunar New Year holidays.
Futures suggested mild gains in Europe and the United States.
Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.28%, German DAX futures added 0.25%, and FTSE futures were up by 0.01%.
US S&P 500 e-mini futures were up 0.18%.
The move followed a subdued Wall Street session as investors reassessed the sustainability of the AI boom. Concerns that companies are over-investing and uncertainty about labor-market disruption have contributed to recent volatility.
Bond yields edged higher, with the US 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.0712%. Oil prices fluctuated after Iran signaled progress in nuclear discussions with Washington, easing fears of supply disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude traded around $67.60 per barrel while US West Texas Intermediate stood near $62.51.
Gold gained about 1% and silver rose more than 2%.
US unveils first projects under Japan investment pledge
US President Donald Trump unveiled the first projects tied to Japan’s $550 billion investment commitment to the United States.
The initial investments include a gas-fired power plant in Ohio, a critical minerals site in Georgia, and a liquefied natural gas facility in Texas.
Trump framed the initiative as a tariff-driven economic policy and emphasized strategic industries.
The investments fall within a broader framework designed to channel Japanese capital into energy, supply chains, and materials critical to advanced manufacturing and defense.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said a bilateral consultation panel first met in December with officials from the US Commerce and Energy departments and Japanese ministries participating.
The panel provides recommendations to an investment committee led by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, with Trump making final decisions.
Tariffs remain central to the arrangement.
The US had raised tariffs on most Japanese goods to 25% before reducing them to 15% after Japan agreed to increase investment.
Japan could face higher tariffs again if projects are not funded within 45 business days.
Japanese government-backed institutions JBIC and NEXI are expected to provide financing through equity, loans, and guarantees.
Nvidia strengthens India presence
Nvidia is strengthening its footprint in India through partnerships with venture capital firms Peak XV, Z47, Elevation Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and Accel India to fund AI startups.
More than 4,000 Indian startups have joined its global program, which helps companies build, scale, and go to market.
The company is also collaborating with government agencies and research institutions as part of New Delhi’s “IndiaAI mission.”
India has approved $18 billion in semiconductor projects and is hosting an AI summit attended by global technology leaders.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had been expected to attend but withdrew due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Infrastructure development is accelerating.
Nvidia is working with Yotta, Larsen & Toubro, and E2E Networks to deploy AI chip clusters and support domestic data centers.
India expects up to $200 billion in data-center investment.
Adani plans $100 billion in AI-ready renewable-powered facilities.
Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have pledged more than $50 billion toward infrastructure.
Yotta Data Services will build a major computing hub using Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra chips in a project exceeding $2 billion, expected to go live by August near New Delhi, with additional capacity in Mumbai.
US-Iran talks and Russia-Ukraine talks
Diplomatic activity remained in focus after US-Iran talks in Geneva.
A US official said “progress was made, but there are still a lot of details to discuss,” reported ABC News.
The official added the Iranians would “come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to address some of the open gaps in our positions.”
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that Iran has not accepted certain US conditions: “In some ways it went well, they agreed to meet afterwards, but in other ways it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said a “window of opportunity” has opened and added: “We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution which can serve the interests of relevant parties and the broader region.”
At the same time, trilateral talks among the United States, Russia, and Ukraine continued in Geneva.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “Ukraine is ready. We do not need war. And we always act symmetrically — we are defending our state and our independence. Likewise, we are ready to move quickly toward a just agreement to end the war.”
Moscow increased pressure on Kyiv to accept a peace agreement aligned with its terms.
Russia carried out a large overnight missile and drone strike targeting Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure.
https://invezz.com/news/2026/02/18/morning-brief-asian-markets-steady-nvidias-india-push/
