US Inflation Data Sparks Global Tech Sell-Off, Hitting German Chip Stocks

Unexpectedly high US inflation data triggered a global sell-off in semiconductor and technology stocks on Thursday, as investors fear higher interest rates will burden heavily debt-financed tech companies. The sell-off, which began on the NASDAQ, spread to Asia and Europe. CoreWeave shares plunged 15.5 percent, highlighting financing risks in AI infrastructure. In Frankfurt, Infineon fell 7.6 percent, while Siemens Energy dropped 6.8 percent. Analysts warn that debt-financed AI data center construction may prove unprofitable if rates rise. The losses hit chipmakers worldwide, with SK hynix and Samsung falling nearly 12 and 11 percent in Seoul, respectively.