Asia stock markets slide as tech – On Friday, Asian stock markets saw a significant drop, driven by a sharp decline in technology stocks as investors grew cautious about the sustainability of recent price gains. The downturn reflects broader concerns over overvaluation in the tech sector, with some traders pulling back after months of rapid appreciation. South Korea’s Kospi index faced a dramatic correction, prompting temporary trading halts as the benchmark plummeted 8%, triggering a circuit breaker designed to prevent market panic. The index ultimately closed 5.8% lower, marking another setback for the region’s equity markets.

The sell-off in tech shares gained momentum following Apple’s announcement to increase prices for its iPads and MacBooks. This decision, tied to rising computer chip costs, sent ripples through investor sentiment, particularly in the United States where Apple shares fell 6%—its largest single-day decline in over a year. The move raised questions about the…