Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Nvidia Earnings and US Inflation Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Samsung, Alibaba Lead Tech Selloff 
Peru Economy Grows 2.6% in Q2 as Private Investment Surges 
Iran Allows Iraqi Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz 
Gold Prices Hit Three-Month High as Dollar Weakens 
ING Says Yen Is 20% Undervalued Against Dollar 
Wall Street Ends Higher as Crypto Stocks and Materials Rally 
Canada Announces Dollar-for-Dollar Retaliation Against 50% U.S. Tariffs 
Merz Pushes Faster Reforms to Revive German Economy 
China opens new Arctic trade route – but obstacles will prevent its wider use 
Dollar Near Multi-Month Lows as Treasury Buybacks Rattle Markets 
Europe EV Sales Surge as High Fuel Prices Drive Demand 
UK Economy Shows Strength as Burnham Gets Early Boost 
Gold Hits Three-Month High as Treasury Moves Fuel Rally 
Trump Vows Tougher Iran Sanctions as US Weighs New Economic Pressure 
Indian Sugar Stocks Surge on Tight Supply, Festive Demand 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through the global electronics industry, driving up prices of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and disrupting the supply of critical raw materials. PCBs are essential components used in nearly all electronic devices, including smartphones, computers, and AI servers, making the impact widespread across multiple sectors.
A major trigger behind the price surge is the disruption of high-purity polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin production. Iran’s recent strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail petrochemical complex forced a halt in operations, significantly affecting global supply. SABIC, which produces around 70% of the world’s high-purity PPE, has yet to resume output, tightening availability and increasing costs for PCB manufacturers worldwide. Additionally, shipping routes in the Gulf region have been heavily affected, further straining supply chains.
PCB prices have already been rising since late 2025 due to strong demand for AI infrastructure. However, the situation worsened in April, with prices jumping by as much as 40% compared to March, according to industry analysts. Cloud service providers continue to absorb these higher costs, anticipating sustained demand growth for AI servers in the coming years.
Electronics manufacturers are now facing multiple cost pressures, including rising prices of copper foil and glass fiber—two key materials in PCB production. Copper alone accounts for roughly 60% of total raw material costs, and its price has surged by up to 30% this year. Supply shortages have also extended lead times for materials like epoxy resin from three weeks to as long as 15 weeks.
Industry players such as South Korea’s Daeduck Electronics have begun negotiating price increases with major clients, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Meanwhile, Chinese supplier Victory Giant Technology has warned that geopolitical tensions could push costs even higher.
Despite these challenges, the global PCB market is projected to grow 12.5% to reach $95.8 billion in 2026, driven largely by expanding demand for advanced electronics and AI technologies.
