US equities fell again: Dow Jones -1.94%, S&P 500 -0.99%, Nasdaq -0.88%.

The National Intellectual Property Administration told a State Council press briefing on July 29 that Chinese applicants remained among global leaders in PCT international patent filings, Hague-design international design applications and Madrid international trademark registrations in 1H, with overall filings edging up. The agency said IP royalty exports totaled CNY45.5 bln in the first five months, up 64.9% YoY, and that firms are increasingly monetizing IP to sharpen international competitiveness and upgrade services trade.

Samsung Electro‑Mechanics has told sales partners it will raise MLCC shipment prices by 30% effective Aug. 1. Taiyo Yuden has issued a notice that MLCC shipments will be repriced from Sept. 1. Both firms cited sharp increases in raw and auxiliary material costs and said internal cost‑reduction measures can no longer fully absorb the rise.