UK Bank of England mortgage approvals: 56,205 in May (consensus 62,900); April revised to 66,034 from 65,945.

Lithium carbonate 2609 reversed earlier losses, trading up 2.20% at 152,220 yuan/ton; turnover about 21.67 bln yuan. Open interest rose roughly 10,700 lots intraday, a marked change in positioning.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix pledged large-scale investments at a government briefing, underscoring South Korea’s push to build AI infrastructure. Investors are weighing the capex hit to chipmaker margins but largely view the government initiative as net positive for the sector. Singapore-based Klay Group said memory firms are generating excess profits and reinvesting in capacity is constructive for Korea’s economy and industrial base. Rapid AI-driven demand keeps memory chips in focus and cements Samsung and SK Hynix’s central role, but their sharp gains increase sensitivity to swings in AI sentiment. Seoul NH Investment Securities sales trader Roy Lim warned that, given the project’s political importance, the government may introduce broader policy measures — a likely near-term investor focus.