Global tech stocks retreat as AI trade unwinds

Global equity markets saw a broad technology selloff on Tuesday, with Nasdaq futures down about 800 points and South Korea’s Kospi dropping 10% intraday, as investors reassessed rich AI-linked valuations after a sharp run-up.

The correction, led by Korean chipmakers and spreading to US and European tech names, followed a report of slower AI memory expansion at SK Hynix and fresh weakness in big US technology stocks including Alphabet and SpaceX.

Market overview

Index / Futures	Date / Session	Move & % Change	Comments
Kospi (South Korea)	Tuesday session	-10% (approx.)	Hit circuit halt after sharp fall in SK Hynix and Samsung.
Nasdaq futures	As of 3:25 pm IST	-800 pts (approx.)	Signals large gap down after AI trade unwinds in Asia.
S&P 500 futures	As of 3:25 pm IST	-100 pts (approx.)	Tracks tech weakness, points to broader US market decline.
Dow futures	As of 3:25 pm IST	-280 pts (approx.)	Industrial-heavy index also under pressure pre-market.

Note: figures are approximate; final exchange data not available at time of publication.

• Global tech stocks faced profit booking after extended AI-driven gains.
• Declines on Wall Street in the previous session fed into Asia and Europe.
• The technology sub-index of the European Stoxx 600 fell over 3%.
• Big Tech led the global selloff as investors questioned AI demand sustainability.

Key tech movers

Top Gainers	Sector	Notable Factor
None reported

Top Losers	Sector	Notable Factor
SK Hynix	Semiconductors	Reported slowdown in AI memory expansion, shift to commodity DRAM.
Samsung Electronics	Semiconductors	Fell alongside SK Hynix, both key Kospi heavyweights.
Alphabet	Internet & AI	Dropped 5% after exits of two senior AI engineers.
SpaceX	Aerospace & defence	Slid 16% after proposing a USD 20 billion bond offering.
Nvidia	Semiconductors	Down 3% in US pre-market trade.
AMD	Semiconductors	Down 6% in US pre-market trade.
Meta Platforms	Social media	Down 1% in US pre-market trade.
Amazon	E-commerce & cloud	Down 1% in US pre-market trade.
Micron Technology	Semiconductors	Down 8% in pre-market ahead of earnings.
Sandisk	Storage	Down 10% in pre-market trade.
Broadcom	Semiconductors	Down 4.5% in pre-market trade.
Qualcomm	Semiconductors	Down 5.5% in pre-market trade.

• SK Hynix and Samsung each fell 12.5%, triggering Kospi volatility.
• Despite the drop, SK Hynix remains up 277% year to date.
• Samsung shares are still up over 140% so far this year.
• SpaceX is now about 15% above its issue price of USD 135.
• SpaceX had previously hit a post-listing high of USD 225.
• Micron shares have gained over 200% this year ahead of results.

• “Any headline that can be read as ‘AI-memory demand might be plateauing’ gets sold hard right now”

“The vulnerability is in the positioning and the valuation, not in the buildout.”

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Sectoral and regional action

Sector / Region	Direction (approx.)	Key Drivers
Asia tech (Kospi-linked)	down 10%	SK Hynix and Samsung slump after AI memory expansion report.
European tech (Stoxx 600 sub-index)	down over 3%	Follows US tech weakness and Korean chip-led selloff.
US Big Tech basket	down 1% to 16%	Alphabet, SpaceX and chipmakers weigh on sentiment.

• The Nasdaq underperformed on Monday, ending 1% lower.
• Alphabet’s 5% fall on Monday followed exits of two AI division engineers.
• The engineers left to join OpenAI and Anthropic, pressuring Alphabet.
• SpaceX’s bond plan raised concerns about leverage and funding costs.
• Big Tech declines reversed part of earlier AI-driven rallies.

Technical and positioning context

• The Kospi’s 10% fall triggered a circuit halt to trading.
• The index had recently been supported by AI chip optimism.
• Heavy retail participation in Korean stocks may have amplified the move.
• Some analysts view the correction as a potential entry point.
• Others flag stretched positioning and valuations in AI-linked names.
• The AI memory segment is seen as sensitive to demand headlines.

Global cues for Indian investors

• The global tech selloff may influence Indian IT and semiconductor-linked stocks.
• Weak Nasdaq futures often weigh on risk appetite in Indian markets.
• European and Asian tech declines signal broader de-risking in growth names.
• Investors are watching Micron earnings for cues on memory demand.
• Bond-funded expansion plans, like SpaceX’s, highlight funding risks in high-growth tech.

FAQ

Q: Why did the Kospi fall 10% in a single session?

• The Kospi drop followed a report that SK Hynix is slowing AI memory expansion and shifting focus to commodity DRAM, which triggered sharp declines in SK Hynix and Samsung and led to a circuit halt.

Q: What is driving the fall in Nasdaq futures?

• Nasdaq futures are down about 800 points as global investors unwind AI-related trades after the Korean chip selloff, weakness in European tech, and declines in major US technology stocks including Alphabet and SpaceX.

Q: How have SK Hynix and Samsung performed so far this year despite the correction?

• SK Hynix shares remain up about 277% year to date and Samsung over 140%, indicating that the latest declines follow a strong rally in Korean AI-linked stocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Kospi fall 10% in a single session?

The Kospi drop followed a report that SK Hynix is slowing AI memory expansion and shifting focus to commodity DRAM, which triggered sharp declines in SK Hynix and Samsung and led to a circuit halt.

What is driving the fall in Nasdaq futures?

Nasdaq futures are down about 800 points as global investors unwind AI-related trades after the Korean chip selloff, weakness in European tech, and declines in major US technology stocks including Alphabet and SpaceX.

How have SK Hynix and Samsung performed year to date?

Despite the latest correction, SK Hynix shares are up about 277% this year and Samsung over 140%, reflecting strong prior gains from AI optimism.