Stock market today: Japan’s Nikkei surges to new high on upbeat Nvidia earnings, Wall Street futures declines

Vijay Valecha, February 26, 2026, Economy Middle East

Shares across the Asian stock market climbed on Thursday after stronger-than-expected earnings from Nvidia eased concerns about AI-related disruption and mounting cost pressures.

Nvidia on Wednesday projected first-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations, citing continued robust spending by major technology firms on its artificial intelligence chips. The closely watched results helped ease investor concerns about the scale of corporate spending on AI-related investments, reassuring markets that demand for advanced processors remains strong.

Nvidia shares close 1.44 percent higher

In the Asian stock market, the momentum pushed Japan’s Nikkei 225 to a record high early in the session, while South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 3.42 percent. Meanwhile, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan advanced 0.62 percent.

In China, the CSI 300 Index fell 0.37 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dipped 0.98 percent.

Nvidia shares initially surged in extended trading following the earnings release, but later gave up those gains. That reversal left Nasdaq futures down 0.23 percent and S&P 500 futures 0.15 percent lower.

Nvidia shares closed 1.44 percent higher at $195.62, and were last up 0.15 percent in after-hours trading.

“NVIDIA’s stock price and market value have been volatile, with the company’s valuation transforming from less than $400 billion in 2022 to nearly $4.7 trillion amidst phenomenal growth in AI. The implied volatility related to earnings is 5 percent, and the CEO’s commentary will serve as a critical health check on AI spending,” said Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer, Century Financial.

In the European stock market, EURO STOXX 50 futures fell 0.21 percent.

Japanese yen in focus as dollar falls

In currency markets, the Japanese yen remained in focus, hovering near the two-week low reached after Japan’s government nominated two academics viewed by investors as strong proponents of monetary stimulus to join the central bank’s board.

The unexpected move was interpreted as aligning with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s preference for accommodative policy, casting doubt on the likelihood of further rate hikes from the Bank of Japan (BOJ).

The yen was last down 0.27 percent at 156.01 per dollar. The U.S. dollar remained under pressure, with the euro gaining 0.12 percent to $1.1824 and sterling rising 0.08 percent to $1.3570.

“The greenback has struggled to gain traction as markets consider the impact of new tariff threats. President Trump warned of higher duties on countries that do not follow existing trade deals, after the Supreme Court ruled against earlier emergency tariffs. A 10 percent global tariff, with talk of raising it to 15 percent, has made investors cautious and limited the dollar’s short-term strength,” added Valecha .

In commodities, oil prices moved higher as concerns persisted over potential supply disruptions stemming from a possible military confrontation between the United States and Iran. Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.38 percent, to $71.12 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures added 21 cents, or 0.32 percent, to $65.63 per barrel.

Meanwhile, spot gold fell 0.27 percent to $5,192.92 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for April delivery slipped 0.30 percent to $5,209.80.

Source

Economy Middle East