South Korea’s flagship tech giant and global APAC powerhouse
Apple is set to unveil its iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a foldable iPhone Ultra at a September event. The company has confirmed the date, and reports suggest pre-orders could begin mid-September as mass production runs into early fall. The foldable Ultra may feature a crease-minimizing display and a side-constructed Touch ID, while the standard iPhone 18 could be delayed to next year.
Markets are stabilising after a stretch of high activity in tech options, with traders shifting focus as implied volatility cools. Small caps are leading potential next moves, while global equities reflect a policy-led, carry-friendly regime.
SK Hynix has raised $26.5bn by selling 177.9m American depositary receipts at $149 each, in the largest-ever US share sale by a foreign company. Its ADRs have begun trading on Nasdaq under temporary ticker SKHYV and will convert to SKHY; the company is using proceeds to expand fabs, packaging and EUV capacity as AI-driven memory demand surges.
Luxshare Precision Industry plans a Hong Kong share sale to raise up to HK$24.3 billion, largely for expanding beyond consumer electronics into automotive and data-center hardware. The deal targets international investors, with pricing details due in early July and trading expected to begin July 9.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
Korean markets have surged on memory-chip leaders but volatility has risen as leveraged ETFs and retail buying amplify moves. Regulators are debating limits while investors eye AI-driven earnings, but concerns about valuations and risk persist.
The United States has launched a wave of strikes on Iran after attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliates by targeting US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Oil prices have risen amid renewed fighting, and talks toward a ceasefire appear fragile as both sides accuse the other of violations.
Memory-chip stocks have surged on AI demand but face a sharp pullback as investors reassess valuations and the U.S. listing gap for SK Hynix widens, with analysts expecting volatility to persist into the next quarter.
Rivian plans a public offering to raise about $1.5 billion while ChangXin Memory Technologies priced its Shanghai IPO at 8.66 yuan per share, potentially raising up to 66.6 billion yuan. The offerings come as Rivian aims to fund a loan-related equity contribution and ChangXin expands its market presence on STAR Board.
Oil prices remain near multi-week highs as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz escalate. The US has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran, Iran warns it will respond, and analysts expect intermittent supply disruptions to keep prices elevated in coming quarters.
Multiple outlets report ongoing concerns about Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, highlighting privacy risks, bystander recording, and safety safeguards while retailers push mainstream adoption. New developments include anti-surveillance eyewear and regulatory probes, as stories continue to unfold this week.
Bloomberg reports that a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric and Sony aims to consolidate power-regulation chips central to AI infrastructure, with a 60/40 stake. Separately, Samsung will establish robotics hubs in the US, China and Japan, under RX Business Office, signaling intensified investment in AI-enabled devices and manufacturing.
China is steering consumption toward offline, experience-driven spending as policymakers back in-person venues and events. Investors see the consumer as king even as retail growth remains tepid, with policymakers highlighting experience-focused sectors and venues like Wangfujing to attract locals and tourists.
Investors are piling into AI-focused exchange-traded funds, including leveraged products that amplify daily moves. The wave comes as traditional mutual funds see outflows and ETFs capture more capital, while bond exposure faces debate amid volatility and new regulatory considerations.
Google has introduced a new account-recovery method using uploaded selfie videos. Users can sign in by comparing a live video to a stored reference video, with optional opt-in for using data to improve facial-recognition tech. The feature is rolling out gradually and excludes Workspace, child accounts, and Advanced Protection users.
Record heatwaves has driven a surge in demand for portable fans and air conditioning across Europe, shifting consumer habits and political debate. Sales of handheld fans and AC units have jumped, premium gadgets have become status items, and UK parties and advisers are pushing building-rule changes and passive cooling as alternatives.
China’s CXMT has raised about $8.6-9.8 billion in its STAR-market IPO, underscoring Beijing’s drive for tech self‑reliance. The stock surged on debut but faces headwinds from limited access to EUV tooling and ongoing competition from Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. Analysts say long-term success depends on closing technology gaps, not investor enthusiasm.
The weekend has seen a pause in Iran’s retaliatory strikes as talks with Oman progress on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has held off further strikes, while Yemen’s Houthi actions have expanded and crude prices have eased from earlier spikes, though Brent remains above $90 a barrel.
Chipmakers slump after a surge in AI-related spending, as investors question whether the AI boom is sustainable. Major players warn that market exuberance could ease as demand levels off and China expands its own chip capabilities.
Tech firms report sustained AI-driven demand for memory chips has pushed prices up, with Samsung and SK Hynix signaling multi-year capacity plans. Analysts caution that bets on AI infrastructure will keep capacity tight, while consumer electronics pricing remains elevated.
The Federal Reserve has held its policy rate, with investors pushing yields higher amid concerns about inflation. Markets are signaling a harder path ahead, with oil prices rising and equities correcting after recent swings.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners. The deal will complete in February 2027 with full separation by 2029. Argos will continue to operate normally during the transition, and staff will transfer to Swift. The move allows Sainsbury’s to focus on its core groceries business.
Apple has confirmed a high-end focus for its September event, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as the main attractions and a foldable iPhone Ultra expected to be unveiled. The base iPhone 18 is delayed to spring 2027, while AirPods and other components face supply and price pressures.
A coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention in late July has only temporarily strengthened the yen. The currency has given back roughly half the gains from the operation and is trading near ¥159–¥160 to the dollar as of mid-August. Analysts say the yield gap between U.S. and Japanese debt and Japan's domestic policy mix are keeping downward pressure on the yen.
Tech shares across Asia buoyed by AI optimism, with notable gains in SK Hynix, Samsung, Kioxia, Advantest and TSMC as markets rebound from recent volatility and traders reassess AI investment momentum.
Anthropic is hiring engineers to design custom chips for Claude and will co-design hardware and models while relying on external hardware partners to scale. Open questions remain about manufacturing partners and timeline as rivals move to in-house Silicon.
JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon has warned that market leverage remains elevated, with hidden borrowing amplifying potential disruptions as analysts scrutinise leveraged ETFs and AI-driven bets. The remarks come amid recent stress at Situational Awareness and regulatory moves in Korea.
Waymo has expanded its Ojai robotaxi rollout, adding more U.S. markets and plans to accelerate fleet growth. The company is integrating its sixth‑generation self‑driving system with Zeekr’s Ojai platform, aiming to reduce cost and improve safety as deployments accelerate globally.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has posted a record first-half profit of about $185 billion as markets rally in tech names. It has disclosed a 0.05% stake in SpaceX, valuing the position at just over $1.2 billion, while its larger holdings include Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft. NBIM says the fund remains globally diversified and long-term oriented.
Memory prices for DRAM and related chips have spiked as demand from AI-focused data centers, smartphones and consoles outpaces supply. Producers are locking up long-term memory supply, raising costs for consumer devices and cloud services. Apple is testing CXMT memory amid broader price pressures.
Fairphone has launched the 6+ in the US, offering a repairable, modular Android phone with 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, and a 6.31-inch 120Hz OLED display. The phone ships with Android 16 and promises updates through 2033, while competing with mid-range devices like Google’s Pixel 10a and Apple’s iPhone 17e.
Apple has elevated John Ternus to chief executive and Tim Cook has become executive chairman. Ternus has signalled a renewed focus on hardware and product launches, noting a "huge" iPhone event next week. He takes charge as Apple prepares to unveil a foldable iPhone and a major Siri AI update on Sept. 9.
Korea is consolidating state-backed utilities and reshaping its energy and industrial landscape. The government has announced a merger of Korea Oil Corp. and Korea Gas Corp., while five KEPCO units will combine and Korea Coal Corp. will be liquidated. Separate moves include a joint plant search by SK Hynix as it expands outside Korea amid AI demand.