25 June 2026 — After a recent correction weighed on technology shares, two major chipmakers delivered news that revived investor interest in AI-related equities. Micron Technology reported significantly stronger-than-expected quarterly results after Wednesday’s close, while Qualcomm markedly raised its long-term revenue outlook, citing robust demand tied to artificial intelligence.
- Micron’s shares jumped about 18% in after-hours trading following the company’s quarterly beat, which the firm attributed to sustained demand for memory chips driven by investments in AI infrastructure.
- Qualcomm’s stock rose roughly 13% in after-hours trading after the company said it now expects non-handset revenue to reach $40 billion in fiscal 2029, up from a prior $22 billion projection.
Those announcements added fresh momentum to AI trades and were reflected in Asian markets: the Nikkei climbed 4.8%, South Korea’s Kospi rallied 6.6%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell about 1.6%. U.S. futures, including Nasdaq contracts, also moved higher.
Europe and the macro calendar
European trading showed modest gains overall, with the DAX and CAC edging up and the FTSE 100 weaker at times. Hungary’s BUX started the day slightly behind its regional peers.
On the macro front, all eyes are on the U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation release at 14:30 CET, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge that can directly influence rate expectations, the dollar and government bond yields. Domestically, Hungary’s Központi Statisztikai Hivatal (KSH) will publish employment and unemployment figures that shed light on the local labor market.
Why it matters
Micron’s strong quarter and Qualcomm’s upgraded forecast underscore that AI-driven spending on hardware and infrastructure is sustaining demand in the memory and chip sectors. If leading suppliers maintain or expand performance, AI-focused investment themes could receive ongoing support. Nonetheless, markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments in the Middle East and to key macro releases, so short-term volatility is likely to persist.
Market highlights (25 June 2026)
- Micron: +18% after-hours
- Qualcomm: +13% after-hours
- Nikkei: +4.8% (day move)
- Kospi: +6.6% (day move)
- Hang Seng: -1.6% (day move)
Daily and weekly market movements, indices and instrument figures are based on Refinitiv/Portfolio data. This article does not constitute investment advice.
