Asia markets rise amid AI concerns

February 18, 2026 (MLN): Asian markets opened on a firm note Wednesday, brushing aside lingering concerns over the global artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle.

Oil prices remained subdued amid signs of progress in nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed 0.93% to 57,090.14, positioning itself to end a three-day losing streak. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5% in early trade.

Several major regional markets including mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea remained closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, resulting in thinner trading volumes across Asia.

The steady performance in the region followed a subdued session on Wall Street, where investors remained cautious about the sustainability and broader economic impact of the AI boom.

Overnight in the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.07% to 49,533.19. The S&P 500 added 0.10% to finish at 6,843.22, recovering from an early 0.88% drop, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.14% to 22,578.38.

In fixed income markets, the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield held steady at 4.054%, while the 30-year bond yield eased slightly to 4.6788%.

The U.S. dollar index hovered at 97.12 during Asian hours, showing cautious positioning ahead of the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting. Investors are seeking clearer signals on the future trajectory of U.S. interest rates.

The euro slipped 0.1% to $1.1844, and the British pound steadied at $1.3563 after declining 0.5% in the previous session. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.1% to 153.12 per dollar.

The New Zealand dollar dropped 0.6% to $0.6014 after the country’s central bank indicated that monetary policy would need to remain accommodative for an extended period to support economic recovery. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar eased 0.2% to $0.7075.

Oil markets remained fragile after both benchmarks slid to more than two-week lows in the previous session. Brent Crude traded at $67.42 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered at $62.32.

The weakness followed diplomatic talks in Geneva, where Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran and Washington had reached a preliminary understanding on key principles aimed at resolving their long-standing nuclear dispute.

Improved prospects for easing tensions near the Strait of Hormuz helped calm fears of supply disruptions.

Precious metals edged lower, with Gold declining 0.2% to around $4,867 per ounce and Silver slipping by a similar margin to about $73.30.

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