BUSINESS

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.

Investors face a choice between Nvidia's AI accelerator dominance and SK Hynix's memory market strength. Each offers unique growth opportunities, influenced by risk tolerance and market cycles.

Netflix is considering live TV channels and third-party streaming bundles, including a potential partnership with Peacock, to address viewer engagement concerns despite strong profits and low cancellation rates.

SK Hynix's Nasdaq debut marks the largest-ever US equity listing by a foreign company, highlighting the AI-driven memory boom and setting new records in the semiconductor sector.

Some ChatGPT users reported access issues, but independent trackers showed the platform largely operational, highlighting discrepancies between user complaints and confirmed outages.

James Murdoch's early investment in SpaceX could be worth up to $7.5 billion, potentially surpassing his earnings from the Murdoch media empire, highlighting his savvy investment strategy.

Instacart users report ongoing outages, with recent disruptions linked to AWS issues. Users face difficulties accessing the app, raising concerns about the platform's reliability and cloud dependency.

SK Hynix's Nasdaq debut offers U.S. investors direct access to the South Korean chip giant, amid debates on whether it's a buying opportunity or a peak, driven by AI demand.

SK Hynix's record Nasdaq debut raises $26.5 billion, sparking interest from global firms in U.S. listings. The move highlights the growing appeal of American capital markets for international companies.

Palantir Technologies' stock faces volatility due to market dynamics and valuation concerns, despite strong business growth and strategic partnerships. Analysts remain divided on the company's future prospects.

eBay users report intermittent access issues, with mixed outage reports and no confirmed widespread disruption. Monitoring services suggest checking local connections before assuming a platform-wide problem.

Vodafone shares rose 13% after Emirates Telecommunications sold its 16.2% stake to Vega, owned by Xavier Niel. The $5.95 billion deal positions Niel as Vodafone's largest shareholder.

Meta Platforms' stock surged as investors reacted to its AI infrastructure's cost efficiency. The company plans to expand AI capacity and explore new revenue streams, despite regulatory challenges.