BUSINESS

Australian shares rose on Wednesday, with the ASX 200 index climbing above 8,800 points. Energy stocks led gains amid rising oil prices, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East affecting global markets.

Volkswagen's CEO announced potential job cuts of up to 100,000 positions, sparking negotiations with labor unions amid industry pressures and restructuring challenges. Analysts suggest this may be a negotiation tactic.

ChronoScale Holdings, an AI infrastructure company, sees its stock rise 16.68% amidst ongoing volatility. The company, formerly Ekso Bionics, transformed through a merger with Applied Digital Corporation.

SK Hynix's shares surged over 24% following a historic plunge, driven by new ETFs, options trading, favourable inflation data, SoftBank's AI outlook, and technical market dynamics.

SK Hynix's ADRs surged 23.85% after a volatile trading week, driven by AI investment optimism, new leveraged ETFs, and options trading, despite earlier losses in Korean markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose slightly amid volatile trading, driven by cooler inflation data and mixed earnings reports, with IBM's decline and bank results influencing market sentiment.

Explore the investment potential of SpaceX and SK Hynix, two major 2026 IPOs, offering diverse tech exposure and distinct risk profiles. Understand their market positions and growth prospects before investing.

Samsung has regained the lead in the global smartphone market, surpassing Apple in Q2 2026, despite a significant industry slowdown due to a persistent memory chip shortage.

The ASX 200 fell 0.42% amid rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, impacting investor sentiment. Mining and technology stocks also faced declines, while a major gold sector merger was announced.

Lazard's analysis shows U.S. natural gas power costs at a 17-year high due to rising demand from data centres and AI infrastructure, highlighting challenges in balancing renewable integration and reliability.

SpaceX shares fell 3.76% amid post-IPO volatility and limited public float. Despite operational growth, valuation concerns persist as the company navigates public market dynamics.

The S&P Energy Select Sector Index rose 2.45% as oil prices increased due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, highlighting energy stocks' role as a hedge during uncertainty.

The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.05% as tech and semiconductor stocks faced selling pressure. Geopolitical tensions and profit-taking contributed to the decline, highlighting market sensitivity to sector rotations.

SK Hynix's ADRs fell 9% after a strong Nasdaq debut, driven by profit-taking and geopolitical tensions. Despite declines, analysts remain optimistic about the AI semiconductor sector's long-term prospects.

TSMC's June sales rose 67.9% year-over-year, driven by AI demand, previewing strong second-quarter earnings. Analysts view TSMC as a key player in AI infrastructure, despite geopolitical and competitive pressures.

President Trump proposes US control over the Strait of Hormuz, seeking compensation from benefiting nations amid escalating tensions with Iran over the vital oil shipping route.

GameStop's shares rose amid its ambitious $55.5 billion bid for eBay, despite the latter's rejection. The move reflects GameStop's strategic shift under CEO Ryan Cohen, aiming for transformative acquisitions.

Freshpet shares rose 8.19% amid ongoing volatility, with analysts divided on the company's future. Despite recent gains, the stock remains significantly below its 52-week high, reflecting investor uncertainty.

SK Hynix's shares fell 15.4% in Seoul after a strong Nasdaq debut, triggering a market-wide halt and impacting South Korea's stock market. Analysts cite profit-taking and valuation confusion as factors.

The Dow Jones rose 149.60 points, driven by AI stock enthusiasm and SK Hynix's successful Nasdaq debut, despite geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices. Broader market gains were observed across sectors.

Warren Buffett's investment principles, including understanding investments, prioritising capital protection, and favouring long-term ownership, remain relevant for navigating 2026's volatile markets, offering timeless guidance for investors.

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to see price increases due to a global memory chip shortage, driven by AI demand, impacting manufacturing costs significantly.

Economists warn a 'super' El Niño could exacerbate global food inflation, already impacted by the Iran conflict, with effects potentially lasting until 2028, affecting supply chains and agricultural production.

The 2026 men's luxury watch market highlights top brands like Rolex, Cartier, and Omega, emphasizing craftsmanship, heritage, and personal style over fleeting trends.

The FTSE 100 index rose on Friday, driven by Vodafone and easyJet deals, despite AstraZeneca's decline and Middle East tensions, highlighting the index's defensive role amid global market volatility.

The U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, with conflicting claims about its accessibility, impacting global oil supply and escalating regional tensions.

Petrol prices in Australia's capital cities have surged due to reduced fuel excise discounts and Middle East conflict. Consumers can save by timing fill-ups and using loyalty discounts.

South Korea's KOSPI index dropped 6.99% amid US-Iran tensions and a chip stock selloff, raising concerns over market volatility and potential interest rate hikes due to rising oil prices.

The ASX 200 fell 0.41% amid escalating Middle East tensions and economic concerns, despite a positive start. Energy stocks faced mixed trading, and Coles Group's potential acquisition of Greencross drew attention.