Market sentiment across Asia shifted toward a optimistic outlook today as technology shares ignited a regional rally. This upward momentum follows a strong performance on Wall Street, where a rebound in software and chipmaking stocks provided much-needed relief to investors previously concerned about the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence. In the United States, the Nasdaq 100 climbed **1.1%** and the S\&P 500 rose **0.8%**, supported by a notable improvement in consumer confidence. This positive energy spilled into Asian trading floors, where Japan's Nikkei 225 gained **0.87%** and South Korea's KOSPI surged over **2.1%** to reach fresh record highs. The tech-heavy TAIEX in Taiwan also outperformed with a **2.75%** jump. However, the gains were not universal, as Indian benchmark indices like the Sensex plummeted over **1,000 points**, or **1.28%**, due to heavy selling in domestic IT services. Investor attention is now laser-focused on Nvidia, which is set to release its fiscal results on Wednesday, February 25. As the world’s most valuable company on the S\&P 500, Nvidia’s report is viewed as a critical barometer for the entire AI sector. Traders are looking for evidence that the massive spending on AI infrastructure remains on track. While Nvidia shares saw a minor dip of **1.23%** ahead of the announcement, competitors like Advanced Micro Devices jumped roughly **9%** following news of expanded partnerships with Meta Platforms. Sentiment in the software sector was further bolstered by updates from Anthropic. The AI startup addressed recent market anxieties by clarifying that its Claude chatbot is designed to integrate with and assist existing businesses rather than displace them. This "help, not hurt" message triggered a healthy rebound in software stocks, easing fears that AI would render traditional business models obsolete overnight. Analysts note that while the "AI scare trade" caused volatility in recent weeks, the focus has returned to the potential for AI to drive productivity and expansion across new sectors. Broad market indicators remain steady as the global financial community awaits the next set of catalysts. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield held near **4.03%**, while the dollar index showed slight strength at **97.80**. Gold and oil experienced minor retreats, with gold falling after a four-day gain and Brent crude trading lower for a third consecutive session. Market participants are now balancing the excitement of the tech rally with upcoming economic data, including the latest U.S. inflation prints and policy priorities expected from the State of the Union address. [Nvidia's high-stakes earnings preview](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D0k_2R7V92-I) This video provides a deep dive into the specific expectations and market risks surrounding the upcoming Nvidia earnings report mentioned in the brief.