Asian stocks fall as AI concerns hit Korean chipmakers

Asian stocks fell Thursday as mixed US tech earnings failed to reassure investors about returns on massive AI investments, renewing pressure on semiconductor shares and Chinese equities. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 1.2% and S&P 500 futures lost 0.6%. South Korean chipmakers led the regional selloff, with SK Hynix plunging 4% and Samsung Electronics down 3.6%. The MSCI Asia Pacific index fell about 1%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 2.7%. Tesla shares fell 3.3% after cutting its capital expenditure forecast, while Lam Research declined 7.4% on weak guidance. Chinese mainland stocks neared a technical bear market, with the CSI 300 down 1.6% from its June peak. Alibaba led e-commerce losses, falling 5.5% after government quality-control pressure. Brent crude rose 1.5% above $110 per barrel following deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia.