[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac stocks took impetus from US counterparts after some AI disruption concerns were soothed

APAC Stocks: Positive

• Asia-Pac stocks are higher as the region takes impetus from the rebound on Wall St after Anthropic's presentation helped soothe some AI/software concerns, and with tech also bolstered by the USD 60bln Meta-AMD chip deal.

ASX 200: +1.0%

• Advanced with gains led by notable outperformance in the tech, consumer staples and mining sectors, while participants continue to digest an overload of earnings and are unfazed by firmer-than-expected CPI data.

Nikkei 225: +1.4%

• Rallied to a fresh record high as exporters benefit from recent currency weakness after it was reported that Japanese PM Takaichi relayed to BoJ Governor Ueda her reservations about further rate hikes.

Hang Seng & Shanghai Comp: Hang Seng +0.8% / Shanghai Comp +1.1%

• Chinese markets conform to the widespread upbeat risk sentiment, with attention in Hong Kong on the annual budget and with the mainland also underpinned with the PBoC conducting a CNY 600bln MLF operation.

US Equity Futures: Rangebound

• US equity futures are rangebound after the prior day's rebound and with a muted reaction to US President Trump's State of the Union Address, where he talked up the US economy and refrained from any major fresh policy announcements.

European Equity Futures +0.1%

• Indicate a slightly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1% after the cash market closed flat on Tuesday.