Trillion-Dollar Chipmaker SK Hynix Lands on Nasdaq

The South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix has raised over $26 billion through its U.S. listing on Nasdaq, marking one of the largest share sales by a non-U.S. company and highlighting the ongoing AI investment surge. The company plans to use the funds primarily for expanding memory chip manufacturing capacity in South Korea to meet rising global demand. The listing allows U.S. investors easier access via ADRs and signals confidence in SK Hynix's growth prospects, especially as the company's profits are expected to reach around $150 billion this year. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of the AI boom, potential market corrections, and the risk of valuations collapsing if growth slows.

The European Union has found that Meta's platforms, Instagram and Facebook, did not do enough to protect users from the physical and mental harm caused by their addictive designs. The investigation accuses Meta of breaching the Digital Services Act by not sufficiently assessing or mitigating risks. Meta faces a potential fine of up to 6% of its global revenue if found non-compliant after the legal process. This follows recent lawsuits where Meta was held liable for harm caused by its platforms, and Meta has expressed disagreement with those verdicts.

Netflix is exploring new ways to retain subscribers by introducing live channels, bundles, and expanding content options like podcasts and games, reflecting its shift from the original simplicity-focused model. Despite its dominance, Netflix shares have fallen over 40% in the past year. The discussion also covers the rising demand for turbine components for aircraft and data centers, where limited Western manufacturers hold back production due to high costs and technical complexity, creating pricing power amid strong backlogs from the aviation and power sectors.

Israel provided the U.S. with intelligence indicating a specific Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump, amid heightened tensions following Iran's threats and Israel's intelligence channels. This intelligence release occurs during a period of strained relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, especially over roles in Iran policy and military cooperation. Additionally, there are ongoing challenges in deploying international peacekeepers to Gaza, with significant delays and political hurdles, as the region remains volatile.

OpenAI faces leadership changes ahead of its IPO, with Fiji Simo expected to assume a larger role, although plans for new leadership are still uncertain. Volkswagen plans to cut its model lineup by up to 50% to reduce costs amid increasing competition and rising expenses. Boeing is nearing certification of its smallest 737 model after years of regulatory scrutiny following past crashes, a sign of recovery for the manufacturer.