Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Korea Exchange, five active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were delisted in two months due to failing to meet correlation coefficient requirements with benchmark indices. On August 19, Time Portfolio Asset Management's TIME U.S. Dividend Dow Jones Active ETF was delisted; four Korea

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold ETF, increased its holdings by 4.28 tonnes on Aug 20, bringing total holdings to 1038.934 tonnes.

According to data released by Russia's Central Bank on August 1, the country's gold reserves fell by 1.6 million ounces to 73.2 million ounces since the start of 2026, marking the lowest level since January 2020. The holdings declined in value by $33.7 billion over the past seven

Yuanta Securities maintained a target price of 830,000 won for SK Inc. stocks and projected that shareholder returns will accelerate starting next year. The securities firm cited subsidiary earnings growth and brand royalty increases as drivers for improved cash flow at the holding company. Yuanta S

According to Jin10 Futures, on August 21, ethylene glycol prices maintained an uptrend as international crude oil continued to climb. Cost pressures from rising crude oil supported market sentiment, with spot prices in East China quoted in the 5,700–5,800 yuan per ton

According to Yuanta Securities on August 21, SK maintained a buy rating and 830,000 KRW price target, representing 46% upside from the previous close of 568,000 KRW. The company posted second-quarter operating profit of 4.84 trillion KRW, surpassing market consensus by 77%. Yuanta expects

According to KOMIS citing London Metal Exchange data, copper hit record highs on August 21, entering a consolidation phase after the recent surge. Despite short-term profit-taking and large inflows easing the rally, structural supply shortages remain persistent, suggesting the uptrend will

According to Barron's, Micron Technology announced on Thursday that it will invest $10 billion over the next 10 years to establish a research institution aimed at addressing memory supply chain bottlenecks. The Micron Research Labs will bring together academia, government, chip manufacturers, and

Kwon Min-soo began his three-year term as Bank of Korea Deputy Governor, according to the central bank. Kwon brings over 30 years of BOK experience specializing in foreign exchange and international finance. The appointment places a career central banker with direct crisis management experience

According to Jin10, Samsung Electronics will announce a new shareholder return plan worth 110 trillion Korean won ($79 billion) on Friday, August 21. The company's board of directors will meet after South Korean markets close at around 4 p.m. local time, with plan details to be disclosed shortly

According to the Bank of Korea, Kwon Min-soo took office as deputy governor on August 21, serving a three-year term. Kwon brings over 30 years of experience in foreign exchange and international finance, having worked through the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the

According to South Korea's customs data, exports grew 56.0% year-on-year and imports rose 19.0% year-on-year during August 1-20, 2026. The country recorded a trade surplus of $13.98 billion for the period.

The Nikkei 225 Index opened down 639.56 points on Friday, August 21, representing a 0.97% decline. The index opened at 65,577.23 points.

According to Bitcoin News, Bitcoin spot ETF trading volume hit $5.3 billion today (August 21), with BlackRock accounting for 83.5% of total volume.

South Korean industries face intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers across semiconductors and secondary batteries, with China's CXMT securing the global fourth-largest share in commodity DRAM markets. South Korea imports 97% of its anhydrous hydrogen fluoride from China, while Chinese c

South Korean stocks are forecast to continue their rebound trend based on improved fundamentals and undervaluation appeal, according to a Daishin Securities report released on the 21st, as the KOSPI closed at 6,852.58 on the 20th, up 5.89% from the previous trading day. The brokerage cited easing co

According to Yonhapinfomax, China has secured dominant control over critical raw materials essential to Korea's semiconductor and battery industries, intensifying supply chain competition. China accounts for approximately 97% of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, 70-80% of refined lithium and precursor ca

According to CNBC on August 20, Wells Fargo analyst Stan Berensztein issued an Overweight rating for fertility and family-building benefits company Progyny Inc (NASDAQ: PGNY) with a $37 target price. Berensztein highlighted that Progyny is positioned at the center of demographic shifts