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Asian tech stocks generally fell on Friday after Apple raised prices. Investors are concerned that rising component costs will dampen demand for end devices and ultimately drag down memory chip prices, which have been supporting the AI investment boom. The market is reassessing whether soaring memory prices, driven by continued strong AI demand, will begin to suppress overall spending by increasing costs for electronics manufacturers and consumers. Apple's price increase is one of the clearest signals yet that the industry's pricing power may be at the expense of future demand, prompting the market to reassess the valuation of AI-related semiconductor stocks. "The market is no longer viewing rising memory prices as a necessary positive factor for the entire AI deal," said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Bank. "While this demonstrates that demand for AI infrastructure remains strong, it also drives up the cost of building and using AI. The risk is that the current strong memory chip cycle may slow down the entire AI deal in the future, and the market has already begun to price this in."

According to IFR, a Reuters subsidiary, Zhejiang Laifu Harmonic Drive Co., Ltd. has set its Hong Kong IPO price at the high end of the range, aiming to raise HK$1.1 billion.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that repairs to the transmission line are not expected to be completed in the short term, but are still underway.

Russian Defense Ministry: Russia shot down 660 drones overnight.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Grossi: Iran has the option to reduce the concentration of nuclear materials or transport them out of the country, but it must agree to do so.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Grossi: He believes that no Iranian nuclear materials have been transferred since the last inspection in 2025, but this still needs to be confirmed.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Grossi: The IAEA has had initial exchanges with the Iranian authorities.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Grossi: We hope to travel to Iran as soon as possible.

IAEA Director General Grossi: It is undeniable that we have reached an agreement that the IAEA will have access to inspect Iran.

On June 26th, Zhengzhou rapeseed meal futures opened lower but then fluctuated upwards. Canadian canola futures closed higher, with the benchmark contract rising 0.40%, mainly reflecting the rebound in international crude oil futures. Rapeseed meal spot prices followed suit, with coastal crushing plants continuing to increase rapeseed crushing volumes, leading to increased rapeseed meal production and inventory. Downstream aquaculture is in its peak season, with moderate trading volume, resulting in slight fluctuations in spot prices.

On June 26th, He Xiaopeng announced that XPeng's second-generation VLA is entering a confirmed phase of global expansion. He mentioned that the DCAS UNR 171 series 02 approved by WP.29 will become mandatory EU regulation in six months, meaning that autonomous driving can legally enter the EU and other global markets from the end of 2026. He Xiaopeng also stated, "Please look forward to the entry and experience of XPeng's VLA and VLM overseas in 2027 (for example, overseas users can communicate and control their cars using a mix of Chinese and local languages)." Previously, XPeng Motors participated deeply in the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) Automated Driving Systems (ADS) working group meeting, promoting the implementation of the world's first autonomous driving technology regulation.

Global Chip LOF: Trading will be suspended from the opening of the market on the afternoon of June 26, 2026 until the close of the market on the same day. During the suspension period, redemption services for this fund will continue as usual.

According to the Financial Times, Musk's SpaceX plans to bring Starlink mobility services to the US consumer market.

BNP Paribas: Raises its price target for Micron Technology (MU.O) from $615 to $1,700.

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA): An earthquake has occurred in Japan, with an intensity level of 4 out of 7. This earthquake will not trigger a tsunami.

TSMC (TSM.N): Proactive measures have been taken at all its plants in Taiwan to prepare for heavy rainfall. All plants are operating normally.

June 26 – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (June 26) published the relevant railway proposals for the Hong Kong section of the North Link branch line in the Gazette, in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Ordinance (Chapter 519). The HKSAR Government previously signed the first part of the project agreement for the North Link project (including the main line and branch line) with the MTR Corporation Limited (MTR), commencing the more mature and urgent works of the main line project, while simultaneously requesting the MTR Corporation to conduct detailed planning and design for the North Link branch line. The North Link branch line includes an approximately six-kilometer-long underground railway starting from San Tin Station on the main line, with approximately five kilometers in Hong Kong and approximately one kilometer in Shenzhen. The North Link branch line will have three new railway stations: two new stations in the San Tin Science and Technology City area (Zhou Tou and He Tao areas) in Hong Kong, and one new station at the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen.

June 26 – South Korea's exports are expected to see stronger growth in June, driven by robust semiconductor demand, with the trade surplus potentially exceeding $30 billion for the first time. The median forecast from a Wall Street Journal survey of nine economists predicts a 57.3% year-on-year increase in South Korean exports in June, up from a revised 53.4% in May. Imports are expected to rise 23.5% year-on-year, pushing the trade surplus to $32 billion. Seunghoon Stephen Lee, chief economist at Meritz Securities, stated that chips and computers are considered the main drivers of export growth, and he expects export growth to remain above 50% in the second half of the year.

June 26 - According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Chiba Prefecture, Japan, at approximately 12:46 p.m. local time on June 26. The strongest tremor was felt at an intensity of 4, with a focal depth of 50 kilometers. Strong tremors were reportedly felt in the Tokyo area.

Market news: An earthquake struck Tokyo, Japan, causing buildings to sway.