BUSINESS

The ASX 200 fell 0.75% on Friday for its fourth straight decline as surging oil prices, higher bond yields and Middle East tensions unsettled investors.

SolarWinds acknowledged an ongoing Service Desk incident affecting North American users after Downdetector recorded a surge in reports, with the company investigating elevated 500 errors and offering no resolution timeline.

Apple introduces the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, priced at $1,999. It features a unique design and competes with Samsung and Google's foldables in terms of size, weight, and functionality.

BARCELONA, Spain — People with asthma who started semaglutide, the drug sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, had nearly 40% fewer attacks than similar patients on older diabetes pills, researchers told a European lung meeting this week.

Western Digital shares fell 2.7% as investors locked in gains from AI storage trades. Despite strong fiscal 2026 results, the stock's rally cooled, prompting questions about future earnings visibility.

SanDisk's stock surged over 630% in 2026 due to AI-related NAND flash memory demand, despite a recent pullback. The company forecasts strong future growth with new business agreements and strategic shifts.

SK Hynix shares fell amid a broader memory chip sector pullback, despite strong AI-driven demand and recent upgrades from financial institutions citing tight supply and robust demand for AI chips.

Intel's stock fell 5.5% following a $20 billion share sale and Apple's move away from Intel Macs. Despite strong revenue growth, Intel faces challenges with market dynamics and future investments.

Micron Technology's stock fell amid a broader semiconductor decline, despite strong performance driven by a global memory chip shortage and AI demand. Investors await its upcoming earnings report.

AMD shares fell amid broader semiconductor sector weakness, despite strong business fundamentals and significant growth in AI infrastructure partnerships and data center revenue throughout 2026.

Nvidia's $20 billion deal with AI startup Groq is under DOJ investigation for potential antitrust issues, raising concerns about competition in the AI chip industry and impacting Nvidia's stock.

Apple's launch of the foldable iPhone Duo has drawn mixed reactions from analysts, with some predicting significant revenue impact while others remain sceptical about consumer adoption.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.20% as easing oil prices and bond yields provided relief, despite a strong yen and looming Bank of Japan rate hike concerns.

Sue Bird and LeBron James feature in Polymarket's new ad campaign, sparking debate over athlete involvement in prediction markets amidst legal scrutiny and competition with rival Kalshi.

AT&T CEO John Stankey views Apple's foldable iPhone Duo as another niche product, questioning its broad appeal despite Apple's strong market influence and competitive pricing.

OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model has achieved significant milestones, including passing a 48-step CAPTCHA test and demonstrating advanced cybersecurity capabilities, while AI-generated characters are making waves in Hollywood.

Apple introduces the foldable iPhone Duo, featuring a unique StandBy mode that transforms it into a bedside clock. The device offers a 7.6-inch display and advanced features for $1,999.