Key Takeaways
- Super Micro Computer (SMCI) co-founder Yih-Shyan "Wally" Liaw has been charged in a $2.5 billion illegal export scheme involving restricted AI servers sent to China.
- Morgan Stanley has issued a major warning for 2026, forecasting an LNG supply shortfall that could drive JKM prices to $30/MMBTU.
- Amazon (AMZN) faced widespread service disruptions across the United States, with thousands of users reporting issues with checkouts and site access.
- Asia-Pacific markets opened with mixed results as the ASX 200 fell 0.4% while the KOSPI gained 0.5% amid a market holiday in Japan.
Super Micro Co-Founder Indicted in Major Export Scandal
Federal prosecutors have charged a co-founder of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) and two associates for their roles in a massive scheme to illegally export advanced AI servers to China. The indictment alleges that the group diverted approximately $2.5 billion worth of hardware containing restricted Nvidia (NVDA) chips by using Southeast Asian front companies and forged shipping documents.
In response to the charges, Super Micro Computer (SMCI) announced the immediate suspension of the involved individuals and stated it is fully cooperating with the ongoing federal probe. Shares of the server manufacturer reportedly plummeted over 9% in extended trading as investors weighed the potential for severe regulatory penalties and reputational damage.
Morgan Stanley Forecasts 2026 LNG Supply Shortage
Morgan Stanley has significantly revised its energy outlook, predicting a substantial LNG supply shortfall for 2026. Analysts now expect the benchmark Asian JKM (Japan Korea Marker) price to surge to $30/MMBTU as geopolitical tensions and production outages in Qatar absorb the previously anticipated global surplus.
The bank also raised its 2027 JKM forecast to $15/MMBTU, signaling that high energy costs may persist longer than initially expected. This shift in market dynamics is largely attributed to the Middle East conflict, which has delayed key expansion projects and forced a restructuring of global trade flows.
Amazon Services Face Widespread US Disruptions
US users reported significant service issues with Amazon (AMZN) early Friday, according to data from the outage-tracking site Downdetector. The disruptions appear to be centered on the e-commerce platform's checkout process and product pricing displays, leaving many shoppers unable to complete transactions.
While Amazon (AMZN) has not yet released a detailed technical post-mortem, initial reports suggest the issues may be linked to a software code deployment error. The outage follows a period of heightened sensitivity regarding cloud infrastructure stability following recent regional disruptions in other parts of the world.
Asia-Pac Trade Muted by Japanese Holiday
Equity markets in the Asia-Pacific region saw a fragmented start to the session on Friday. Australia’s ASX 200 declined by 0.4%, pressured by recent swings in oil prices, while South Korea’s KOSPI managed a 0.5% gain as investors reacted to a deluge of central bank announcements.
Trading volumes were notably thinned due to the absence of Japanese participants, as markets in Tokyo remained closed for the Vernal Equinox holiday. Market sentiment remains cautious as investors navigate mixed geopolitical headlines and the implications of shifting interest rate paths across major economies.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.