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NEW YORK — SK Hynix’s American depositary receipts fell about 9 percent Monday following a strong debut on the Nasdaq, as investors booked profits after the South Korean chipmaker’s record $26.5 billion U.S. listing and broader concerns weighed on artificial intelligence-related semiconductor shares.

The pullback came one trading day after the ADRs surged more than 12 percent in their first session. SK Hynix, a leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory chips crucial for AI systems, raised funds through the offering to expand production capacity amid surging demand from companies like Nvidia.

In Seoul, the company’s underlying shares plunged more than 15 percent, contributing to a sharp decline in the KOSPI index that triggered a brief trading halt. The drop marked one of the largest one-day percentage declines for the stock in nearly two decades, reflecting profit-taking after a multi-year rally fueled by the AI boom.

U.S.-listed peers also weakened. Micron Technology fell around 5 percent, SanDisk dropped 6 percent and Seagate Technology declined 4 percent. AMD and Intel each lost 3 to 4 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index slipped amid the sector rotation.

The S&P 500 declined 0.3 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.9 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average bucked the trend, rising 88 points or 0.2 percent, supported by relative strength in non-tech sectors.

Market participants pointed to several factors behind the sell-off. Profit-taking after SK Hynix’s blockbuster debut played a central role, as the ADRs traded at a premium to the Seoul shares. Geopolitical risks in the Middle East, including renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, added caution, pushing oil prices higher and prompting some risk-off sentiment.

Analysts emphasized that the moves represent a healthy digestion of recent gains rather than a fundamental shift away from AI investments. Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz, told CNBC that markets view the Middle East conflict as likely to remain contained. “The market is assuming that this clash will remain localized,” he said, noting that neither the U.S. nor Iran appears interested in full-scale war.

Attention is shifting rapidly to the start of earnings season this week. Major banks including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo are among the first to report, followed by technology and industrial names such as Netflix, Johnson & Johnson and UnitedHealth Group.

FactSet projects S&P 500 companies will post average second-quarter earnings growth of more than 23 percent year-over-year. Investors will scrutinize guidance on AI capital spending, as big technology firms continue pouring resources into data centers and related infrastructure.

Larry Adam, chief investment officer at Raymond James, expressed optimism about sustained AI momentum. He noted that capital expenditures in the sector are expected to keep expanding through 2028, driven by tangible results from AI adoption across industries. “AI-related mentions in S&P 500 earnings calls hit a record high, up 98 percent from last year,” he added.

SK Hynix’s dominant position in high-bandwidth memory gives it a leading share of the market for chips used in AI training and inference. The company has been ramping up production of advanced HBM3E and preparing for HBM4, benefiting from demand tied to hyperscalers and AI model development.

The U.S. listing provides broader access for American investors and enhances liquidity. The ADRs, representing one-tenth of a common share, closed Friday at $168 after opening at $170. They traded at a premium to the Korean shares, a common dynamic for cross-listed companies that offers U.S. investors direct exposure without some of the foreign market frictions.

Despite Monday’s declines, analysts remain constructive on the long-term outlook for SK Hynix and the AI semiconductor sector. The company’s market value had tripled in the past year before the listing, reflecting explosive growth in memory pricing and volumes.

Broader market dynamics show resilience. While technology shares faced pressure, the Dow’s modest gain highlighted diversification benefits. Energy stocks advanced on higher oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude settling around $73.68 per barrel after earlier climbing above $75.

Brent crude traded near $78.48. The energy uptick provided a buffer against tech weakness but raised questions about potential pass-through effects on inflation and consumer spending.

Federal Reserve developments also loomed in the background. Recent policy signals have kept rate expectations in focus, though easing pressures from cooling inflation could support equities if economic data remains solid.

For SK Hynix specifically, the listing marks a milestone as one of the largest U.S. share sales by a foreign company. It follows strong performance by other memory and storage names but comes amid some valuation concerns after the sector’s rapid run-up.

Company executives have highlighted long-term structural demand for AI memory, with shortages expected to persist. The fresh capital will fund factory expansions and technology advancements, positioning SK Hynix to maintain its competitive edge against rivals like Samsung Electronics and Micron.

Samsung shares also declined Monday, though less sharply than SK Hynix. The two firms dominate global memory production, and their performance often moves in tandem with broader semiconductor cycles.

In South Korea, the government has signaled support for chip industry investments, including incentives for new fabrication facilities. Such measures aim to bolster the nation’s position in the global AI supply chain.

U.S. investors will monitor SK Hynix’s ADR performance as regular trading under the SKHY ticker continues. The premium between ADRs and underlying shares may narrow over time as arbitrage opportunities emerge and liquidity increases.

The episode illustrates the volatility inherent in high-growth tech sectors. While profit-taking is common after major listings, sustained AI demand underpins confidence among long-term holders.

As earnings season unfolds, updates from big technology companies on their AI infrastructure spending will likely set the tone for semiconductor stocks. Analysts expect continued robust capex, with many firms guiding higher for the year.

SK Hynix’s debut and subsequent trading provide a case study in cross-border listings amid geopolitical and macroeconomic crosscurrents. The company’s ability to navigate these factors while delivering on AI growth will determine its trajectory in coming quarters.

Broader indices remain near highs, supported by resilient corporate profits and expectations of eventual monetary policy support. The Dow’s outperformance Monday underscores that not all segments are moving in lockstep with technology.

For now, the market appears to be pausing for breath in AI chips after an intense rally, with focus turning to fundamentals in earnings reports. SK Hynix and its peers will be closely watched as barometers for the sector’s health.

Tech shares pulled U.S. stocks lower on Monday after President Donald Trump announced that he would reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports, marking the latest escalation in U.S.-Iran hostilities. The move sent oil prices sharply higher and dampened overall risk appetite.

Investors are now bracing for a packed week of earnings, economic data and congressional testimony from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh. Among the three major indexes, the tech-heavy Nasdaq led losses, followed by the S&P 500, while the Dow’s decline was cushioned by gains in energy stocks tracking the surge in crude prices due to restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Stocks really reached a high at the very end of May, driven mainly by semiconductors,” said Thomas Martin, senior portfolio manager at GLOBALT in Atlanta. “When you move something this far, this fast, you invite the question of how sustainable it is. If the market were cheap, it would be one thing. Now there is less cushion and a lot of unknowns.”

Amid sustained AI-driven momentum in recent months, chip stocks have led both rallies and selloffs. The Philadelphia Semiconductor index underperformed sharply, with SanDisk, Marvell Technology and Western Digital posting steep losses. U.S.-listed shares of South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix also declined after rising more than 12% during their Nasdaq debut on Friday.

Over the weekend, the U.S. and Iran exchanged heavy airstrikes, significantly escalating tensions and prompting Trump to revive the blockade on Iranian ports. The development raised concerns over stalled peace negotiations and pushed crude prices up 9.4%, fuelling fears that supply disruptions could translate into persistent inflationary pressures.

Warsh is scheduled to deliver his first semiannual testimony before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he is expected to address the inflationary implications of the conflict and outline the Fed’s policy outlook. Markets are currently pricing in at least one 25 basis point rate hike by the end of the year, according to LSEG data.
Key economic data due this week includes the consumer price index and producer price index from the Labor Department, which will provide insight into inflation trends in June amid geopolitical volatility. The Commerce Department’s retail sales data will also offer clues on consumer resilience, given that consumption accounts for roughly 70% of the U.S. economy.According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 fell 60.21 points, or 0.79%, to close at 7,515.18. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 408.83 points, or 1.56%, to 25,872.77, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 129.16 points, or 0.25%, to 52,507.85.

Major U.S. banks including Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are set to report quarterly earnings on Tuesday, marking the unofficial start of the second-quarter earnings season.

“I wonder if the market will start to push back against the surge in corporate issuance to fund AI capex, which has been under scrutiny for some time,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird. “It will be important to see how banks position themselves in corporate bonds and fixed income.”

Analysts currently expect aggregate second-quarter earnings growth for the S&P 500 at 23.7% year-on-year, up from 19.2% estimated at the start of April, according to LSEG.

Chimera Investment Corporation (CIM) has three preferred shares we will be discussing. Instead of buying one preferred share and holding it indefinitely, we monitor relative valuations to identify opportunities to swap between preferred shares. We will be going over current valuations and then our trade history for a good example of how we implement that strategy in practice.

Preferred Shares

CIM-B (CIM.PR.B) is currently in the buy range and CIM-D (CIM.PR.D) is currently in our hold range. CIM-C (CIM.PR.C) is in our hold range and would only need to fall below $22.67 to be in our buy range.

One of the biggest advantages of investing in preferred shares is that investors don’t need to take on the risks from the common stock to get an attractive yield. Sometimes the best opportunities come from recognizing when a preferred share is trading at an attractive valuation.

For a long time now, Chimera’s preferred shares have provided an excellent opportunity and example of how we use relative valuations to trade in and out of positions. The chart below highlights those trades.

The following sections will walk readers through our decision-making process on these dates.

March 30, 2026, Buying CIM-C

Back in late March, we believe CIM-C became a great opportunity because it had materially underperformed most of the other mortgage REIT floating-rate preferred shares. That includes the other Chimera’s preferred shares as you can see in the chart above.

At the time, this was the difference in yield:

• CIM-C offered a stripped yield of just over 11%.
• CIM-B offered a stripped yield of 10.98%.
• CIM-D offered a stripped yield of 10.71%.

Looking at those prices, my thought was pretty simple: I bet other investors will bid more for these in the future. That doesn’t require Chimera to suddenly become a better company. It simply requires a valuation gap between very similar securities to shrink.

While we waited, investors were collecting an attractive dividend rate.

April 27, 2026, Harvesting The Gains

Over the following month, that trade worked extremely well.

CIM-C rallied sharply and thoroughly outperformed the comparable preferred shares. As the valuation gap narrowed, the original investment thesis played out.

We decided to harvest the gains.

We weren’t selling because we suddenly disliked Chimera. We weren’t reacting to negative news. We simply recognized that CIM-C had delivered the outperformance we expected.

One of the key values our service provides is the research to help investors find opportunities to swap between similar preferred shares. This was a great example of how we utilize our strategy focusing on relative valuations instead of becoming emotionally attached to a particular ticker.

June 12, 2026, Another Opportunity

Less than two months later, another opportunity developed. Chimera’s preferred shares sold off rapidly over the course of a week. They weren’t even on my radar as potential buys the week before because they had been performing quite well.

Then they tanked.

Whenever I see a move like that, the first thing I want to know is whether the fundamentals changed. I double-checked Chimera’s common stock to see if there had been a major negative shift in investor perception.

Nothing.

The common shares were actually trading higher than they had been a week earlier. The preferred share scenario looked like sellers simply outnumbered buyers and prices declined in response.

Great.

Those are exactly the kinds of situations we like to investigate. After reviewing the fundamentals, I was comfortable purchasing both CIM-B and CIM-C because they had fallen back into attractive valuation ranges. The opportunity wasn’t created by improving fundamentals. It was created by changing prices.

June 17, 2026, Swapping Shares

Only a few days later, another relative value opportunity developed. CIM-C recovered quickly while MFA-C offered a better risk/reward profile, so we made another trade. We sold CIM-C and purchased MFA-C.

• I’m not getting married to these shares.

• I’m not trying to hold them forever.

• I’m simply taking advantage of a more attractive risk/reward profile.

We collect a pretty nice yield while we wait. If prices go up materially, or better opportunities appear elsewhere, we simply swap into the better opportunity.

Final Thoughts

I think these trades demonstrate one of the biggest advantages of following relative valuations instead of simply buying a preferred share and forgetting about it. The goal isn’t to predict where preferred share prices will trade in isolation in the future. The goal is to consistently own the preferred share offering the best upside potential relative to its risk and relative to other preferred shares.

Sometimes that means buying a preferred share that has become cheap. Sometimes it means harvesting gains after relative gaps close. Other times it means swapping into another preferred share because the relative values have shifted.

Today’s ratings reflect the same process we continue to use. We believe CIM-B currently offers the most attractive valuation. CIM-D is approaching our buy range but remains closer to fair value today.

This is how we historically have looked at preferred shares. We expect relative valuations will continue to create opportunities for us in the future.

MINNEAPOLIS — LeBron James informed the Los Angeles Lakers in late June that he will not return for the 2026-27 season and will instead play his record-extending 24th NBA campaign elsewhere. The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as one of several teams aggressively pursuing the four-time MVP, though significant obstacles remain before any potential move to the Twin Cities materializes.

The 41-year-old James, who averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games during the 2025-26 season with the Lakers, became an unrestricted free agent after declining to exercise his player option. His agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the decision to depart Los Angeles, allowing the franchise to plan without him.

Multiple reports indicate the Timberwolves reached out to James’ representatives shortly after free agency opened. Team officials have pitched James on joining a young, talented core that includes Anthony Edwards, recently acquired LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert. The Wolves believe this group could ease James’ offensive and defensive workload while positioning Minnesota for a deep playoff run and its first NBA championship.

Minnesota’s front office has emphasized the franchise’s championship drought as a unique selling point. Winning a title in a market without prior success could strengthen James’ case in the long-running debate over the greatest player of all time, sources familiar with the discussions told The Athletic. The Wolves have ramped up their efforts and view themselves as a legitimate option despite limited financial flexibility.

Cap space presents the primary hurdle for Minnesota. The team sits approximately $4.4 million below the NBA’s second apron and can offer only the $3.9 million veteran minimum exception. Other suitors, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, face similar constraints in many cases, though some may have slightly more room depending on additional roster moves.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on July 10 that a credible source indicated James has reached a “done deal” with a team other than the Cavaliers, though the specific destination was not confirmed. Earlier reporting from The Athletic and others highlighted Cleveland, Miami and Golden State as teams generating significant momentum alongside Minnesota’s persistent interest.

James has long prioritized contending teams in free agency decisions. The Timberwolves’ roster construction aligns with that preference, offering defensive anchors in McDaniels and Gobert alongside dynamic scorers in Edwards and Ball. Pairing James with Edwards, with whom he won Olympic gold in 2024, has been highlighted as a natural fit.

Rich Paul discussed potential landing spots on his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, using a whiteboard to outline options. Minnesota appeared prominently in those discussions, reflecting the team’s active engagement. Paul has noted that 27 teams have inquired about James, underscoring widespread interest across the league.

The Wolves made roster adjustments this offseason to create opportunity at power forward, trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid while adding Ball. Those moves opened a starting lineup spot that fits James’ skill set as a versatile forward capable of facilitating and scoring in multiple ways.

Despite the intrigue, landing James remains a long shot for Minnesota according to some league sources. The team’s cold-weather market and lack of spending power place it behind more established contenders in James’ considerations. Still, the organization’s belief in its roster and championship window has fueled an aggressive approach.

James’ decision will likely hinge on a combination of roster fit, coaching stability, ownership commitment and personal factors. At 41, he continues to perform at an elite level and has expressed ongoing motivation to chase additional titles and individual milestones.

The Lakers expressed disappointment at his departure but issued statements thanking him for his contributions, including the 2020 NBA championship and his all-time scoring record achieved in a Lakers uniform. James spent eight seasons in Los Angeles after previous stints with Cleveland and Miami.

As free agency continues, James has shown no rush to finalize his destination. Reports suggest he could take additional time to evaluate options before committing, potentially extending the process into mid-July or beyond.

For the Timberwolves, the pursuit represents a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Adding James would instantly elevate expectations in a market hungry for success and could accelerate the development of young stars like Edwards and Ball through mentorship.

League insiders note that James values organizations willing to build around him and provide the infrastructure for contention. Minnesota’s recent investments in roster talent and front-office stability under president of basketball operations Tim Connelly align with those priorities.

Whether the Timberwolves can overcome financial limitations and outmaneuver other interested parties remains uncertain. James’ track record shows he weighs multiple factors carefully, often prioritizing winning above all else.

The coming days and weeks will clarify the landscape. Until James announces his decision, speculation about a potential move to Minnesota will continue alongside interest from other franchises seeking to bolster their championship aspirations with one of the game’s all-time greats.

For now, the Timberwolves have made their case clear: they believe their situation offers James the best opportunity to add to his legacy while helping deliver the franchise’s first title. The final chapter of this free agency saga will determine whether that vision becomes reality for the 2026-27 season.