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Driven by AI data centers, the global semiconductor sales are expected to reach 1 trillion USD this year, doubling to 2 trillion USD by 2035. While geopolitical risks are unlikely to hinder the industry's prosperity this year, raw material shortages may impact long-term prospects. Countries are working to address shortages of critical minerals and essential gases such as bromine and helium. In March, helium prices surged significantly due to tensions in the Middle East, and bromine is also facing shortage risks.

Spot gold fell 0.1%, quoted at $4,537.45 per ounce. The analyst team at InTouch Capital Markets stated in a commentary: "Risk sentiment is fluctuating." The team pointed out that according to Iranian media reports, the latest 14-point framework from the United States has "narrowed differences," and U.S. Secretary of State Rubio told the Financial Times that there have been some "positive signs." However, the team added: "As Iran's Supreme Leader issued a directive that near-weapons-grade uranium must not be shipped abroad, optimism quickly dissipated."

The transaction scale is also expanding. According to LSEG statistics, there were a record 68 deals valued at 10 billion USD or more last year, twice the number in 2024. Overseas acquisitions by Chinese enterprises are also on the rise. Data from Rhodium Group shows that in the first quarter of 2026, Chinese enterprises’ overseas acquisitions reached 9.6 billion USD, marking a new high since early 2021 and representing five consecutive quarters of growth.

The data released by the Japanese government on Friday showed that in April, the core consumer price index, excluding fresh food, rose by 1.4% year-on-year, below the expectations of all economists surveyed by the media.

12:00 (UTC+8)-21:00 Keywords: Anthropic, Hester Peirce, SMIC, Enriched Uranium 1. Senior Iranian official refutes reports on enriched uranium retention in the country; 2. Putin: The use of nuclear weapons is only a last resort; 3. Anthropic is in talks to use Microsoft's AI chips; 4. US SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will leave to teach at a law school; 5. Report: Bitcoin shows signs of repeating 2022 trading patterns; 6. SMIC: The purchase of a 49% stake in SMIC Northern has been approved by the securities regulator; 7. The crypto-backed political action committee has released the first list of endorsements for key Senate and House races in 2026.

Trump intensively discussed Iran, tariffs, and AI, stating the US will obtain Iran’s enriched uranium and reiterated that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. The US May manufacturing PMI preliminary value exceeded expectations, rising to 55.3; the service sector saw a slight decline. China’s State Council: discussed the draft amendment to the Central Bank Law and advanced the construction of a unified national market in depth. A Turkish court ruled to “overturn” the largest opposition party, causing the stock index to plummet by 6%, with state-owned banks urgently selling $6 billion to defend the lira. In March, Turkey nearly cleared all its US Treasury holdings in an effort to support the lira. India is considering all options to deal with the rupee’s sharp decline, including raising interest rates. Report: OPEC+ may increase July oil production by 188,000 barrels per day at the June 7 meeting. NIO’s Q1 revenue increased by 112% year-on-year, with new car deliveries soaring by 98%, and vehicle gross margin hitting a four-year high. William Li: The auto industry is under significant cost pressure, and NIO’s average transaction price now exceeds that of BMW and Audi. NetEase reported solid gaming revenue growth, with both Q1 revenue and profit exceeding expectations. Xiaomi Product Launch: The flagship large-screen 17 Max starts at 4,799 yuan, and the sports car-level SUV YU7 GT made a stunning debut. Lei Jun: At least 20 billion yuan will be invested in R&D over the next five years. Anthropic is in negotiations with Microsoft to lease servers powered by its independently developed Maia AI chips. Report: OpenAI recorded Q1 revenue of $5.7 billion. Walmart’s Q1 revenue beat expectations, with e-commerce soaring and a surge in advertising, but rising fuel costs are “eating into” profits.

Milei stated that starting from June 2026, the export tax on wheat and barley will be reduced from 7.5% to 5.5%. According to reports, Milei also announced a reduction in the export tax on soybeans starting from January.

The U.S. Department of Energy stated in a press release that U.S. Energy Secretary Wright has issued an emergency order directing North America's largest grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to work with Constellation Energy to ensure the continued operation of the two units and “minimize costs for the American public.” “The energy that can play a role when it is most needed is essentially the most valuable—this is why natural gas and oil have been particularly important during peak electricity demand over the past year,” Wright said in the statement.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Waller on May 13, with him set to succeed Powell as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. However, Powell will continue serving as a member of the Federal Reserve Board until 2028. At 56 years old, Waller will embark on a four-year term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve and a fourteen-year term as a Board member. Trump selected him as a bulwark against further rate hikes. Waller has long stated his desire to reduce interest rates while shrinking the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet. Currently, some Federal Reserve policymakers are considering raising rates to contain inflation triggered by the Iran war. According to minutes released on Wednesday, at the meeting held on April 28-29, most Federal Reserve policymakers believed that if inflation remained above the 2% target for an extended period, “it may become appropriate to take some policy tightening measures.”