- U.S. equities split on Monday as memory and optical-component stocks dragged the Nasdaq 100 down 1.0% and the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% to 7,664.26.
- President Donald Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian autos, trucks, and steel starting January 1, 2027, impacting related equities like Ford and Cleveland-Cliffs.
- Meanwhile, gold rose 1.0% to $4,654.67 per ounce, and Bitcoin rallied past $79,000 amid upcoming inflation data and Federal Reserve speeches.
- Nvidia AI server prices are expected to increase by more than 15 % for systems shipped in early 2027.
- The price hike affects platforms like Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell due to surging memory costs and supply strain.
- Major data center operators and server companies have reportedly informed customers about the upcoming adjustments.
- The Hang Seng Index fell 544 pts or 2.09 % to close at 25,465 at midday, driven by widespread declines across major technology and chip stocks.
- BABA-W plunged 9.76 % after planning a new share placement to raise HKD80 billion, while AI large model stocks faced heavy pressure following DeepSeek's API price adjustments.
- Chip stocks experienced sharp sell-offs, with SMIC plummeting 6.62 % and HUA HONG GRACE tumbling 5.23 %.
- Global financial markets showed mixed movements as US Treasury debt surpassed USD40 trillion and gold prices rose.
- Bitcoin surged 7% to USD77,677 alongside gains in crypto stocks, while US stock index futures and major European markets advanced.
- Samsung announced a historic shareholder return plan of up to USD79.52 billion, and Asian stock markets closed with mixed results.
- CNBC host Jim Cramer criticized the artificial intelligence data center supply chain's heavy reliance on South Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung, arguing their share prices are driven by leveraged retail investors.
- Cramer's remarks followed SK Hynix's announcement of a 40 trillion won, or $29 billion, share buyback plan to restore market confidence amid recent volatility.
- The analyst also pointed to Micron Technology as a domestic benchmark while memory sector peers turn to share repurchases to ease investor concerns over AI demand.