1. Fed Holds Rates, Removes Easing Bias Under New Chair Warsh

(Federal Reserve / CNBC, 17 June 2026; Trading Economics / Advisor Perspectives, 17–18 June 2026)

Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Federal Reserve Chairman concluded with no change in interest rates and a nod to possible hikes ahead. The meeting also saw the removal of key language indicating a bias toward future cuts within a dramatically shorter policy statement. The FOMC voted unanimously to keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range of 3.5%–3.75%, a level held since the central bank lowered rates by three-quarters of a percentage point in the latter part of 2025. The median estimate for the fed funds rate at end-2026 is now 3.8%, up from 3.4% in the prior March projections, signalling the committee sees at least one rate hike as necessary this year. Elevated inflation, primarily stemming from higher energy prices linked to the Iran conflict, has increased investor expectations for higher policy rates later this year. The Fed's preferred inflation gauge, PCE, climbed above 4% in May, heightening expectations that policymakers could move closer to another rate hike.

2. Global AI Chip Sell-Off Hits APAC Markets Hard

(Saxo Hong Kong / CNBC, 23–26 June 2026)

Asian markets sold off sharply on Tuesday, led by South Korea's Kospi which plunged 10%—its largest single-day drop in recent memory—as a sell-off in SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics triggered a global AI chip rout. Despite the carnage, the Kospi remains approximately 95% higher year-to-date. The Hang Seng Index fell 1.8% to 23,336, with Tencent down 4.2% and CMOC Group falling 10.9%. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 2%, entering bear market territory at 20% below its October peak. The CSI 300 declined 2.8%. Index heavyweights Samsung and SK Hynix, which dropped over 8% and 9% respectively, were dragged by a broad sell-off in Asian technology stocks amid growing concerns over rising costs of AI infrastructure. In Japan, SoftBank Group also plunged more than 12%, while Advantest declined over 9% and Tokyo Electron fell more than 3%.

3. US Equities: Tech Rotation Deepens; OpenAI IPO Delay Reported

(TheStreet / Charles Schwab / CNBC, 25–26 June 2026)

The Nasdaq Composite posted its fifth consecutive losing session on Friday as investors rotated out of key technology stocks and into more defensive areas of the market. The index dropped 0.24% to close at 25,297.62, while the S&P 500 ticked down 0.05% to 7,354.02. The S&P 500 slid nearly 2% on the week, while the Nasdaq fell 4.6% in the period. Apple fell 6.13% and Microsoft fell 3.23% after announcing price hikes on consumer hardware in light of higher memory prices. Chip stocks were also weaker after a New York Times report that OpenAI is considering delaying its IPO to next year because of SpaceX's poor performance following its debut and overall volatility in AI-related shares. Investors appear to be rotating money into sectors beyond tech, with mega caps losing ground on worries about spiralling AI costs and the possible OpenAI IPO delay.

4. Micron Earnings Underscore AI Memory Demand; Semiconductor Capex Cycle Intact

(Yahoo Finance / Kavout, 24–26 June 2026; Deloitte / SIA, June 2026)

Micron Technology's shares surged 15.7% following strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings and revenue, lifting semiconductor stocks. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index (SOX) rose 3.2% in the session. The sharp declines in two of the market's biggest technology companies later overshadowed Micron's results, dragging the Nasdaq lower and reinforcing investor concerns that enthusiasm for AI-related stocks is giving way to worries over valuations, spending, and profitability. Against this backdrop, the global semiconductor industry is expected to reach US$975 billion in annual sales in 2026, a historic peak fuelled by an intensifying AI infrastructure boom, with growth projected to accelerate to 26% in 2026. A SIA-Deloitte report estimates that government and industry will invest over $4 trillion in new data centre infrastructure through 2028, of which up to $2.8 trillion will be spent on semiconductors.

5. Private Credit: New $400 m Direct Lending Strategy Launched; Sector Watches Redemption Pressures

(Alternative Credit Investor, 24 June 2026; Middle Market Growth / ACG, 2026)

Private credit firm Colbeck Capital Management launched a new direct lending strategy with $400 m of initial capital commitments. The strategy, Colbeck Strategic Income (CSI), will focus primarily on first-lien senior secured loans to middle-market companies entering their "next stage transition". CSI has already made six investments, supported by both existing and new investors of Colbeck. The launch comes as the broader direct lending market navigates mixed sentiment: investors have already requested more than $10 billion worth of redemptions from private credit funds in the first quarter of the year, according to calculations by the Financial Times, which noted that figure is expected to rise. Still, one industry observer notes that for middle-market dealmakers "there is no panic. There is just elevated vigilance."

This news roundup is produced by 1Oak Research for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in it constitutes investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security or financial instrument. All investments carry risk, including the possible total loss of capital. 1Oak Research is not a licensed or regulated financial entity.