Markets slide as Apple hikes prices and AI trade cools

Global tech stocks came under pressure after Apple shares fell 6.1% following major price increases across Macs, iPads, HomePod, Apple TV and Vision Pro. Popular models rose by $100–$300, while the M5 MacBook Pro now starts at $1,999, up $300. Mac Studio prices jumped by as much as $1,300.

Apple blamed a sharp memory-chip shortage driven by AI data-center demand. DRAM prices rose about 90% in Q1 2026 and another 60% in Q2, putting pressure on margins.

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Asian markets also dropped. Japan’s Nikkei fell 4.5%, South Korea’s Kospi lost 6.8%, and Taiwan’s Taiex declined 3.6% as traders locked in profits from recent AI-driven rallies. Oil also weakened, with Brent near $73.78 and WTI at $70.53, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz recovered despite ongoing geopolitical risks.

Meanwhile, Italy opened an antitrust probe into Microsoft over Microsoft 365 price hikes linked to Copilot and Designer integration.

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