SK Hynix

US stocks rose (SPX +0.4%, NDX +1.0%) as a global chipmakers’ rebound led by SK Hynix (+30%) and Samsung (+21%) lifted South Korea’s Kospi by an unprecedented 18%. In addition, $Amazon(AMZN.US) ‘s strong earnings last night (+12% pre-mkt) eased AI spending concerns. Apple fell -7% on weak guidance, while $Alphabet - C(GOOG.US) and $Meta Platforms(META.US) gained. $Tesla(TSLA.US) +1.5% after the WSJ reported that TSLA is considering a potential separation of its China business to pave the way for a possible merger with $SpaceX(SPCX.US). $Rivian Automotive(RIVN.US) +4% after beating 2Q rev and EBITDA estimates and guiding to stronger FY’26 results on the initial strength of R2 SUV sales, RIVN’s cheaper $45K SUV that started deliveries in June. The chip rally followed Citadel buying discounted positions from the giant Situational Awareness hedge fund, which lost half its assets. Hyperscaler FY’26 AI CapEx guidance rose only modestly to ~$730B from $700B previously.

MSFT +15% and +$450B in one day isn’t hype, it’s proof Azure AI is printing money at scale. That beat Nvidia’s record because enterprises are paying, not just building. Semis +8-9% with MU, SNDK, SKHY all double digits means memory pricing has bottomed and the July washout is over. AMZN/AAPL/META mixed just shows the market can tell winners from spenders now.

Congrats to all who saw the great discounts and grabbed the wonderful bargains. These kind of great sales happen once a year and it was about time for it to happen!

Well look at that. See what I mean when everyone wants to buy at the same time? Great discounts don’t last forever. The most daring first buyers who recognise value benefits the most. 😊

Many of the recent movements should be treated as noise. For investors, company fundamentals and sector growth and health should be the anchor for proper investment (not trading)

Markets are moving beyond AI hype, with greater focus on execution and measurable outcomes from AI investments. Companies that convert AI spending into sustainable revenue, earnings and cash flow are being rewarded, while those with uncertain returns face more demanding standards.

Singapore stocks pulled back as profit-taking in the banking sector weighed on the STI, but the move appears to be a healthy consolidation rather than a trend reversal. Singapore equities continue to offer long-term value, supported by stable earnings, attractive dividends and sound economic fundamentals.Fundamentals drive long-term performance, with patient investors using market pullbacks as opportunities to accumulate quality stocks

Markets still have a lot to digest. Strong GDP and PCE keep the Fed cautious, while BOJ decisions and Middle East tensions could drive volatility. I’ll stay patient and focus on quality names instead of chasing moves.

Wonder why the bank stocks are up, isn’t this anticipation of rate hike too extreme?

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Overall, I am quite disappointed with MPACT earnings yesterday. It’s a surprise results. I never expect its overseas assets performance got worsen.

Elsewhere, Keppel Corp was dragged down by impairment charges on older legacy assets while SIA took a hit from high energy costs. It is a very tough operating environment now with so much uncertainty everywhere.

I am also worried by the latest China manufacturing PMI reading of 49.2, back in contraction territory. I am thinking why these factories are not ramping up orders for the upcoming holiday season like Christmas, yet activity is slowing instead. That really makes me wonder what’s going on. 🤔

Just as I predicted, chip and semiconductors stocks are going up again. I’m glad I didn’t sell off my tech stocks. Sometimes it just feels like there is some invisible hand moving the market for no good reason other than to shake off weak hands.

📢 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: KOSPI jumps as much as 14% in record intraday gain

Samsung reported an explosive 250 fold increase on 2026Q2 operating profit. Revenue jumps 130% YOY and increases 28% quarterly to US$119 billion. HBM delivers the strongest sales by amounting to >60% of the revenue. The stocks rise 4% after this report but quickly drop to closed at 1% lower. It seems that this wonderful report still fails to stop the rout in the Korean stock market. Analysts expect this to continue until most of the investors who use leverage to invest are being flushed out. Is Korean memory stock uninvest able or investor just waiting to do bottom fishing?$SK Hynix(SKHY.US)

The oil price situation is erratic. One day it is up and the next it is down. This is why risk management is essential.

What a week it has been. This is what sentiment is. At the top, everyone wants to buy. Down here, no one wants to buy. But prices are much cheaper here. Thats how trends are also. Not many has the courage to do things using their own thought process.

Standard Chartered Bank Hongkong stocks profit rose. Though AI trading becomes the trend, I wonder on the businesses purposes.

Korea stocks fall is a concern.

I wonder on the jobless percentage on Thursday report.

Today is 30 July and why is there a report for 31 July on the employment cost?

However, the oil price increases.

Shaky times because it’s earning season and plenty of geo uncertainties. DYODD well

Markets are entering a high-volatility window with economic data, earnings, and geopolitical headlines all colliding. I’m keeping more cash on hand and waiting for higher-conviction setups instead of reacting to every headline.