Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Digital Daily, on August 14, South Korea's KOSDAQ index closed at 864.65 amid renewed capital pressure. Foreign investors returned to major KOSPI stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in the second week of August, shifting 6.57 trillion Korean won into KOSPI while continuing

According to shipping intelligence firm Kpler, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz plunged over the past weekend. On Saturday, only 5 bulk carriers transited the waterway, while no vessels passed on Sunday, marking a sharp decline from 31 vessels the previous weekend. The drop follows

Japan's second-quarter GDP deflator came in at 2.6% year-on-year in its preliminary reading, exceeding the forecast of 2.3% and declining from 3.2% in the prior quarter. The figure indicates moderating inflation pressures in the world's third-largest

Japan's seasonally adjusted GDP expanded 1.1% annualized on a quarterly basis in Q2, below economist expectations of 2.1% growth and down from 1.8% in the prior quarter, according to preliminary data.

Japan's actual GDP grew 0.3% quarter-over-quarter in the second quarter, missing the market forecast of 0.5%, according to preliminary government data. The result marked a slowdown from the previous quarter's 0.5%

Japan's nominal GDP expanded 1.2% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, matching market expectations and accelerating from the prior quarter's 0.6% growth.

According to Guangfa Securities, 38 companies are expected to gain Hong Kong Stock Connect trading access in the September reshuffle, with 37 companies predicted to be added on September 7. The candidates are mainly concentrated in technology, advanced manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors.

According to reports, CBOT soft red winter wheat futures surged over 3% on Friday (August 15) as market concerns over global grain export supply tightened. Recent escalations in Russian and Ukrainian strikes on Black Sea shipping and port

Korea Exchange and securities firms earned approximately 117.26 billion won in commission fees from single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix between May 27 and last month's end, according to statistics submitted to National Assembly Financial

Xangle, a crypto data firm, identified two key variables shaping the crypto market this week: whether US inflation slowdown can reduce Federal Reserve tightening concerns and Middle East geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices. July Consumer Price Index rose 3.4%

According to statistics submitted by the Financial Supervisory Service and Korea Exchange to parliament on August 17, exchanges and securities firms earned a combined 1.17 trillion won in fees from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs from May 27 to the end of

According to reports from international media, CBOT corn futures closed higher on Friday (August 15), supported by strength in wheat markets and rising oil prices, though precipitation forecasts for the U.S. Midwest limited gains. The market is digesting updated supply and demand outlooks

According to Zangel's research report released on August 16, U.S. July consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.1% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, matching market expectations. Core CPI increased 0.2% month-over-month without additional upward pressure. Producer price index (PPI) came in flat ver

The Korean government is finalizing its 2027 budget plan with total spending projected at 800+ trillion won, Finance Minister Park Hong-geun announced at a fiscal strategy meeting held on the 13th of last month. The spending level represents a 10%+ increase from the 2026 base budget of 727.9 trillio

NH Investment & Securities analyst Jung Yeo-kyung published a report on August 17 comparing South Korea's semiconductor-focused economy to three international models: Finland, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The analyst stated Korea's position would likely fall between Taiwan and Switzerland's

The Bank of Korea's Frankfurt office recently issued a report analyzing Germany's industrial competitiveness decline, attributing recent economic slowdown to structural weaknesses rather than cyclical factors. The report, published May 17, identifies energy policy failures, delayed industrial

According to NH Investment Securities analyst Jung Yeo-gyeong, on August 17, South Korea's semiconductor exports reached 16% of GDP in Q1 2026. While the concentration mirrors Switzerland's pharmaceutical sector structure, the market growth rate follows Taiwan's AI-driven trajectory. The analyst

According to South Korea's government on August 17, the planned 2027 budget is expected to exceed 800 trillion won, potentially reaching up to 840 trillion won, as national tax revenue is projected to hit 500 trillion won-plus driven by semiconductor supercycle and artificial intelligence

According to Bank of Korea's latest report on August 17, Germany's global industrial competitiveness has deteriorated sharply due to structural challenges including failed energy policy, delayed industrial transformation, weakened labor market competitiveness, and insufficient public

According to shipping data, traffic through the Hormuz Strait slowed over the weekend as tanker attacks and stalled U.S.-Iran peace negotiations weighed on regional shipping activity.