Asian stock markets registered gains on Wednesday after technology names, particularly in Japan, clawed back some of the steep losses they sustained earlier in the week. The improvement came against a backdrop of light regional volumes, with major markets in China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Activity in the region also took cues from U.S. markets, where Wall Street showed a mild lift in the overnight session driven by a mixed recovery among tech firms. S&P 500 Futures were flat at 22:36 ET (03:36 GMT) as attention shifted toward a slate of U.S. economic releases due later in the week. Market participants were focused on the minutes from the Federal Reserve's January policy meeting, scheduled for release later in the day, and on the personal consumption expenditures price index - the Fed's preferred inflation gauge - which is due on Friday.
Japan: Tech leads the rebound
Japan's equity market outperformed the region, with the Nikkei 225 rising 1.1% and the TOPIX adding 1.4% as both indexes recovered from steep losses earlier this week. Technology stocks were among the strongest performers on the Nikkei, reversing a portion of the declines that had built up over recent weeks.
The broader market advance was aided by bargain hunting following two days of sharp falls that began after the release of disappointing fourth-quarter gross domestic product data on Monday. In addition, stronger-than-expected trade figures for January provided support: the report showed Japan's key exports surged by more than anticipated, while imports unexpectedly fell. Despite the export strength, the country recorded a trade deficit for the month.
Australia: Modest gains, mixed corporate news
Australia's ASX 200 climbed 0.4%, extending gains from the previous session. CSL Ltd (ASX:CSL) was among the larger contributors to the index, rising 0.6% after announcing a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY).
Not all large-cap news was positive: BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) retreated 1.6% from record highs despite posting strong first-half earnings on Tuesday. Energy and resources movers also weighed on sentiment - Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) fell 1.7% after reporting a 25% decline in its annual profit, while Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX:SUN) declined following weak earnings.
On the macro front, Australia's wage price index showed incomes grew roughly in line with expectations in the December quarter, underscoring ongoing resilience in the labour market. However, the reading also renewed investor concern about sticky inflation in Australia.
India: Software stocks remain under pressure
India's Nifty 50 opened relatively flat, with little net movement in morning trade as domestic software shares continued to struggle after a bruising run. Major Indian technology firms including Infosys Ltd (NSE:INFY), Wipro Ltd (NSE:WIPR) and HCL Infosystems Ltd (NSE:HCLI) have plunged through February amid investor worries that advances in AI agents and new software tools could erode their market share.
The weakness in Indian software names reflected broader selling across global technology and software stocks, a trend that intensified after AI-focused firm Anthropic introduced new software tools. That development contributed to renewed investor anxiety about the competitive and structural implications of AI on established software vendors.
What to watch next
With multiple Asian markets on holiday and volumes subdued, the near-term direction for regional equities may hinge on forthcoming U.S. data. Investors are monitoring the Federal Reserve minutes for clues on monetary policy deliberations and will closely examine the PCE price index later in the week for indications on inflation momentum.
In the interim, sector-level dynamics remain important: technology stocks are navigating a recalibration of expectations around AI-driven disruption, resource and energy firms are reacting to company-specific earnings results, and wage and trade prints are shaping regional macro narratives.