ASX 200 drops 1.4% as Middle East tensions weigh Australian stocks fell sharply Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping about 1.4% to end the session at 8,592.90. Renewed fighting near the Strait of Hormuz hit banks, miners and tech names. The ASX 200 tracks large Australian companies.
July 9, 2026, 10:39 AM EDT. Shares of SoundHound AI ($SOUN) have dropped more than 30% this year as trading stays volatile. Bulls cite strong market growth and new tech as reasons to back the stock. Bears warn the stock's high valuation could be at risk, pointing to the pace of expansion and shaky market sentiment. The debate shows how divided investors are around AI names, with many weighing future profits against current price tags. Traders are watching SoundHound as it works through a crowded voice AI field and shifting investor sentiment.