Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

iM Securities analyst Park Sang-hyun stated in a report on the 20th that the won-dollar exchange rate falling below 1400 won could stimulate foreign investment inflows into Korean stocks and bonds. The won-dollar rate closed at 1397.7 won on the 19th, marking a 14.1 won drop and the first time below

According to IM Securities report, the Korean won-U.S. dollar exchange rate fell to 1,397.7 won on August 19, marking the first time below the 1,400 won threshold in 11 months. The closing price represented a decline of 14.1 won from the previous trading day. IM Securities analyst Park Sang-hyun

iM Securities lowered its target price for Seojin System stocks from 77,000 won to 68,000 won on the 20th, while maintaining a 'buy' investment opinion. The brokerage cited steep market correction, planned additional convertible bond (CB) issuance for facility expansion funding, and downward

According to NextTrade, SK Hynix stock jumped 7.8% to 1.662 million won in premarket trading on August 20, following the company's announcement of a major shareholder return plan. The semiconductor manufacturer's board approved the purchase and cancellation of 24.07 million shares, with an

According to Digital Times, on August 20 premarket trading, SK Hynix announced a 40 trillion won share buyback and cancellation plan effective for three months, equivalent to approximately 3.3% of outstanding shares. The stock surged 7.53% to 1.613 million won, while Samsung Electronics

Target reported Q2 fiscal year earnings for the May-July period that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by a substantial tariff refund and strong sales performance. The US retail chain recorded net revenue

The Korea Financial Investment Association's Education Institute will allocate increased revenue from single-stock leveraged exchange-traded fund (ETF) mandatory pre-education fees to free financial education programs for youth, military personnel, and the general public, according to the

According to iM Securities on August 20, the firm cut Seojeong Systems' target price to 68,000 Korean won from 77,000 won, citing domestic market adjustments, planned additional convertible bond issuance of approximately 200 billion won in the second half, and valuation

South Korean government bond futures rose during overnight trading on August 20, supported by the US Treasury's announcement to expand its long-term bond buyback program. The 3-year bond futures closed at 103.34, up 4 ticks from the previous day's regular session close, while 10-year bond futures ro

Independent Korean asset management firms recorded extraordinary profits in Q2, with small boutique operators outearning securities firms hundreds of times their size. Kam Investment Advisory, a three-year-old firm with 15 employees, posted 307.4 billion won in net profit during Q2 alone —

Lowe's Companies (NYS:LOW), the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States, reported Q2 (May–July) revenue of $25.96 billion on the 19th (US local time), missing the market consensus of $26.16 billion amid weakened consumer sentiment. The company revised its full-year guidance

According to CNBC, Target (NYSE: TGT) reported a Q2 earnings beat on Aug 19 (U.S. time), with net sales of $26.54 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $26.14 billion. Comparable-store sales growth reached 3.8%, significantly outpacing the expected 2.3%. Net income surged to $1.88 billio

According to Yonhap Infomax, South Korea's Financial Investment Association Education Institute announced on August 20 that it will allocate approximately 3.2 billion won in revenue from mandatory pre-education fees for single-stock leveraged ETF trading to free financial education programs for

According to CNBC, on August 19 (U.S. time), Lowe's Companies reported second-quarter revenue of $25.96 billion, falling short of market expectations of $26.16 billion, amid weakening consumer sentiment. The home improvement retailer revised its full-year guidance to the lower end of prior ranges, p

According to Bitcoin Magazine, Bitwise's Chief Investment Officer said bitcoin appears to be nearing its bottom, with market conditions suggesting potential upward volatility release ahead. The CIO expressed considerable optimism regarding Bitcoin's trajectory for the remainder of 2026, indicating c

On August 19, the U.S. stock market rebounded with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.22%, or 119.65 points, to close at 53,463.05. Biotech stocks drove the rebound despite semiconductor sector volatility, with strong clinical trial results supporting gains in the healthcare sector.

According to South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare Minister Jung Eun-kyung on August 19, the National Pension Service (NPS) delayed domestic stock rebalancing earlier this year to monitor market conditions, not for political reasons related to elections. Speaking at a parliamentary budget

According to Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett, the U.S. national debt is poised to breach $40 trillion, with government interest payments having reached $1.4 trillion over the past 12 months. In his latest Flow Show report, Hartnett outlined a three-pillar investment strategy: avoid

Hanwha Defense USA was selected as the sole prototype contractor for the US Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program, according to a Daol Investment & Securities research report published on the 20th. The contract covers up to 18 prototype units valued at a maximum of $260 million, with an

IMM Investment launched a 3,000 billion won secondary venture fund to address Korea's venture fund maturity crisis. The firm secured 155 billion won from policy institutions including Korea Development Bank and pension funds for its seventh secondary fund series. Korean venture funds totaling 53