Why China's biggest memory chip maker CXMT that made Apple seek 'special permission' from the US government is 'scaring' Chinese investors

China’s biggest memory chip maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has become one of the most closely watched companies in the country's semiconductor industry. The chipmaker, which reportedly made Apple seek special permission from the US government before considering its memory chips for some products due to US export restrictions, is now making headlines for its massive $8.6 billion Shanghai IPO. Likely to be Asia’s largest IPO of 2026, the upcoming IPO is raising concerns that it could drain money from China's stock market. According to a report by CNBC, investors are selling other technology shares to free up cash for the highly anticipated listing, adding pressure on Chinese semiconductor stocks and the broader technology sector.Why investors are worried about CXMT's IPOCXMT is expected to debut on Shanghai's STAR Market on July 27 after raising $8.6 billion through its initial public offering. Market experts, quoted in the CNBC report, say the listing is creating fears of a short-term liquidity squeeze because investors are moving money out of existing stocks to buy CXMT shares.Tim Sun, senior researcher at HashKey Group, said investors expect CXMT's market value to quickly cross 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) after listing. "Once it passes 1 trillion yuan, CXMT will become a primary heavyweight in the STAR Market and semiconductor indices, forcing index funds, active funds, and sector-specific funds to reallocate toward it," Sun said.As a result, investors are reducing holdings in sectors that previously led the market rally, including memory chip makers, semiconductor equipment companies and domestic chip suppliers. The STAR 50 Index, which tracks the largest technology companies listed on Shanghai's STAR Market, has fallen nearly 20% this quarter.Analysts say CXMT's IPO is adding to market pressurePeter Alexander, founder of Z-Ben Advisors, said there is "no question" that money is being pulled from the secondary market ahead of CXMT's public listing. He expects strong demand when trading begins, saying the stock could see a sharp jump during its first two days before both the shares and the broader market stabilize.However, analysts said the IPO is not the main reason behind the recent weakness in Chinese technology stocks.Sun said crowded investor positions and high leverage in China's technology sector remain the biggest reasons for the pullback. He added that weakness in South Korean semiconductor stocks has also weighed on global chip valuations and encouraged profit-taking in China.Benjamin Cavender, managing director at CMR Consulting, described CXMT as more of a catalyst than the original cause of the selloff. He said the situation resembles the "cash call" effect often seen before major IPOs, when investors sell existing holdings to raise cash for new listings.Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.