Eugenia Victorino views the sharp selloff in Asian equities as a healthy correction rather than the end of the AI trade, noting the KOSPI still holds over 60% gains for the quarter. She sees it as a buying opportunity. On currencies, she notes Asian currencies haven't benefited from US-Iran peace prospects due to recalibrated Fed expectations, with an October hike fully priced in and potential for another, keeping depreciation pressures on.

Robert Lee attributes Apple's 6% drop to price hikes from memory chip shortages, but notes the broader context of rising US inflation (PCE at 4.1%) driving dollar strength and negative risk sentiment for tech. He contrasts Micron's benefit from the shortage with questions about its sustainability, given the cyclical nature of the memory chip sector. On the AI bubble, he argues that while infrastructure providers like Nvidia profit, the return on investment for AI users remains unclear, citing extreme stock performance of companies like Dupeau AI that lose money.

Stuart Livingstone Wallace discusses the attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, viewing it as a warning from Iran to maintain control over shipping routes. He notes the fragility of the situation and Iran's willingness to escalate. On OPEC, he highlights frustration among members over quota systems, with Iraq's potential exit being a negotiation tactic rather than a genuine threat, but questions the value of OPEC membership if major producers leave.

Matt Stanley argues the oil market has become too complacent, pricing in almost no geopolitical risk despite the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He notes physical flows take longer to recover than market prices, creating a lag. On OPEC, he believes Iraq's potential exit is a negotiation tactic, not a genuine threat, and OPEC still matters for supply management, especially for countries reliant on oil revenues. He also highlights that refined product prices remain elevated, and the key story for H2 will be refinery capacity.