JUNEASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWS ROOMSAMSUNG Q2 PROFIT SOARS AS AI MEMORY DEMAND POWERS GROWTHSamsung Q2 profit soars as AI memory demand powers growth, with the South Korean technology giant expected to post a strong jump in second-quarter earnings, driven by rising demand for Samsung AI memory chips, artificial intelligence systems, and advanced semiconductors.The company's growing role in supplying AI semiconductor demand has strengthened its chip business, helping balance weaker performance in some consumer electronics categories.Tokyo stocks surged to a record high on Monday as growing hopes of peace in the Middle East boosted investor confidence, while falling oil prices and a weaker U.S. dollar added momentum to global equities.Optimism over possible diplomatic progress involving Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz encouraged traders to return to equities, helping Japan's stock market climb to an all-time peak after weeks of uncertainty. Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine Matheson has expanded into healthcare AI through the acquisition of Australian medical imaging company I-MED Radiology Network, marking a major shift in the group's business strategy.The deal, valued at A$3.4 billion (US$2.4 billion), gives Jardine Matheson access to one of Australia's largest diagnostic imaging providers and opens the door to the growing field of artificial intelligence in healthcare.The move is particularly significant because it also gives Jardine a minority stake in Harrison.ai, an Australian company that develops AI-powered radiology tools and medical imaging solutions. Through I-MED's existing investment, Jardine will gain exposure to technologies designed to help doctors detect diseases faster and improve the accuracy of medical diagnoses. TOKYO STOCKS SCALE NEW PEAK AS PEACE HOPES EASE OIL FEARSJARDINE MATHESON EXPANDS INTOHEALTHCARE AI WITH I-MED BUYHUAWEI INTRODUCES NEW AI CHIP STRATEGY FOR FUTURE COMPUTINGHuawei has introduced a new AI chip design strategy that could reshape the future of semiconductor innovation, as the Chinese technology giant looks for alternative ways to improve computing power despite ongoing US sanctions.The company recently unveiled a fresh approach to chip development aimed at boosting artificial intelligence performance by focusing on faster data movement and greater efficiency, rather than relying solely on smaller transistors to increase speed.Chinese technology company Huawei has proposed a new direction for chip development as it seeks to strengthen its position in the growing AI market. The announcement was made during the 2026 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) in Shanghai, where company executives introduced what they call the Tau Scaling Law, a new framework designed to improve chip performance by reducing delays in data movement across computing systems.
< Page 7 | Page 9 >