Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to MoneyToday, medical apparel company FIGS posted Q2 2026 revenue of $196.6 million, up 28.8% year-over-year, with net profit reaching $28.4 million compared to $9.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Net profit margin expanded to 14.4%, with adjusted EBITDA margin at 18.6%.

Single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in South Korea saw daily average trading volume drop to 862.2 billion won over the past three weeks, down to 11.2% of the 7.69 trillion won recorded in the prior three-week period, following deposit requirement increases implemented on July 31.

According to Yonhap Infomax, on August 21, South Korea's KOSPI index rose 0.88% while KOSDAQ fell 4.63%, reflecting a divergence driven by large-cap stocks. The S7 index—the top seven KOSPI constituents by market cap—led the rally, with SK Hynix gaining 2.3%, Samsung Electronics preferred shares

According to Korea Exchange, over the past three weeks starting Aug. 1, the top four domestic single-stock leverage ETFs saw average daily trading volume plunge to 862 billion won from 7.69 trillion won in the prior three-week period, following a regulatory increase in minimum deposits from 10

According to Benzinga's analysis of analyst forecasts published recently, SpaceX is projected to achieve 2,090% revenue growth over the next five years, far outpacing Nvidia's 288% forecast and other major tech companies including Alphabet (140%), Microsoft (136%), Tesla (119%), Amazon (81%), and

Nears Lab and Hatch Tech list on the KOSDAQ market on the 24th and 25th respectively during the fourth week of August. Nears Lab achieved a 530:1 retail subscription ratio at the top of its offering range, while Hatch Tech priced at the bottom of its range with institutional undersubscription.

Securities firms raised IMA benchmark yields to 4.5-5% annually as bank deposits surged by approximately 40 trillion won over two months. Mirae Asset Securities increased its IMA No. 4 benchmark yield from 4% to 5% with募集 starting on the 24th, while NH

According to Bizwatch, two South Korean companies debuted on the Kosdaq market this week with notably different investor reception. NearSlab, an AI-powered autonomous drone solutions firm, listed on August 24, setting its initial public offering price at 41,200 Korean won after institutional

According to South Korea's financial investment industry, the country's five major banks' time deposit balance surged to 984.9 trillion won as of late July, up 35.5 trillion won from June and approximately 40 trillion won in two months, as investors shifted funds from equities to safer assets amid m

According to Korea Exchange DataMarketPlace, on August 21, the KOSPI index closed at 6,912.95, down 0.9% from the previous week, halting its recovery toward the 7,000 level. Retail investors provided significant support with net buying of 2.39 trillion won, while foreign investors conducted net

NVIDIA is raising prices for AI servers by more than 15%, according to Bloomberg citing multiple sources on local time May 22. The price increases will apply to shipments starting early next year and affect systems with both the next-generation Vera Rubin and current Grace Blackwell chips. The

Grayscale Head of Research Zach Pandl stated on Aug. 21 that bitcoin may offer a favorable entry point for long-term investors based on three converging factors. The assessment addressed adoption trends, cycle positioning, and macroeconomic conditions as bitcoin reached $79,461 before easing

According to Yonhap Infomax on August 23, SK Hynix plans to acquire 24.07 million shares worth approximately 40 trillion Korean won through August 19 for full cancellation, expected to generate roughly 80 billion won in transaction-related taxes including securities transaction tax and

According to China National Pipeline Group, Horgos compression station, the first station of West-to-East Gas Pipeline II and III, surpassed 6,000 billion cubic meters of cumulative natural gas deliveries on August 22. The facility, which handles gas from Central Asia and coal-to-gas production,

According to Barron's reporting on Friday, August 21, SpaceX received a sell rating from DZ Bank analyst Markus Leistner, who initiated coverage with a $100 price target. This contrasts sharply with Wall Street consensus: 75% of analysts covering the company have buy ratings, with an average price t

On Friday (August 21), President Trump stated that Treasury Secretary Benson's expansion of long-term U.S. Treasury buybacks this week was Benson's own decision, not ordered by him. Trump said Benson is "very capable" and has "sharp judgment" on bond and interest rate markets. Long-dated Treasury

According to Guru Club citing sources, Nvidia has notified major customers that AI-related server prices will rise over 15% starting early next year, driven by surging memory chip costs. The price increases affect systems equipped with Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell flagship chips, with exact hike a

According to Jin10 data, nearly 200 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz last week, up from 150 in the preceding week and approximately 40 two weeks prior. Data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that over 80% of liquid cargo transported through the strait in the past two weeks either

Major Korean securities firms reduced margin loan interest rates from annual 9-10% to 7-8% levels starting late last month, following financial authorities' announcement in July to review excessive rate practices. Samsung Securities and Shinhan Investment Securities lowered rates to 7.5% and 6.95% r

According to Newsis, on August 20, major South Korean brokerages began cutting margin loan rates following pressure from financial regulators over excessive interest charges. Samsung Securities lowered its rate from 9.0% annually to 7.5%, while Shinhan Investment Securities reduced rates to 6.95% fr