AI & Semiconductors Volatility: South Korea’s KOSPI slid sharply after a chip selloff triggered a 20-minute trading halt, underscoring how fast AI sentiment can flip; the move followed Micron’s upbeat forecast and SK Hynix’s US listing hopes, but concerns grew around Apple’s memory-driven price hikes and possible OpenAI IPO timing. Big Tech Supply Chain Pressure: Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices as memory and storage chip costs surged from the AI data-center buildout, showing consumer electronics are getting squeezed even with strong supplier leverage. Rates, Inflation & Gold: US inflation after the Iran-related shock is reviving rate-hold odds, pushing gold below $4,000/oz and cooling the “Fed pivot” trade. Energy & Shipping: JPMorgan cut its Brent outlook for H2 2026, warning of demand weakness and a structural surplus risk into 2027. Fintech Watch: Wise posted lower profits but higher revenues and announced a $500m+ buyback, even as Belgian money-laundering inquiries remain in focus. Housing & Consumer Credit: Nationwide cut selected mortgage rates by up to 0.25%, a near-term tailwind for UK borrowers. Food & Trade: UK food and drink exports fell to a decade low, hit by US tariffs and Brexit trade friction. Agriculture Cost Squeeze: Florida is losing farms as labor, fertilizer and fuel costs rise, threatening higher grocery prices. Tourism Demand Shift: Cyprus tourism is moving toward last-minute bookings, shrinking forecast visibility for hotels and airlines. Market Forecast Theme: The week’s thread is clear—AI capex, energy costs, and policy expectations are driving rapid repricing across equities, commodities, and household budgets.