Global tech-hardware selloff continued Thursday as rising Fed-hike odds and
funding strains in AI weighed on chip names. Asian semiconductor stocks tracked
U.S. weakness: Samsung Electronics fell more than 7% and SK Hynix dropped over
8%, dragging the KOSPI down as much as 6%. Japan's Nikkei index slipped more
than 3%; Tokyo Electron and Screen Holdings were off about 3%. Investors cited
higher rates, stretched valuations and the massive capital required for AI
infrastructure; strong results from Samsung and ASML failed to reassure markets.
AI cloud provider CoreWeave plunged and its bonds fell to levels typically seen
in distressed credits, renewing doubts about the sustainability of large
AI-infrastructure outlays. Wednesday data showed U.S. September CPI rose to a
five-month high, lifting market expectations for further Fed tightening.
