Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

The US dollar plunged on August 19 afternoon as the US Treasury unexpectedly announced it would more than double its buyback program for long-term bonds. The dollar index (DXY) fell to its lowest level in approximately three months, dropping 0.867% to 98.797, while the dollar-yen rate

According to Bloomberg macro strategist Simon White, the S&P 500 faces potential market turbulence as shifts in options market Gamma could rapidly amplify volatility and trigger forced selling. While the index remains less than 1% from recent highs, underlying market structure is weakening as

According to Federal Reserve meeting minutes released on Aug. 20, officials evaluated labor market conditions as stable overall, with unemployment rates holding relatively steady near long-term estimates. However, some officials noted signs of labor market weakness persisting, including low employme

According to Korean Economic TV, U.S. stocks rallied across the board today (August 19) as Treasury yields plummeted following the Treasury Department's expanded long-term bond buyback program. Moderna led gains with a 177% surge on positive Phase 3 clinical trial data for a skin cancer vaccine

According to Korean Economic TV, the S&P 500 index reversed course overnight (August 18), posting gains after a three-day decline as U.S. equity markets showed modest recovery. Corporate buyback activity was cited as a contributing factor, with Treasury yields also adjusting during the

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold ETF, increased its holdings by 9.414 tons yesterday (August 18-19), bringing total holdings to 1,034.654 tons.

South Korea's exchange-traded fund market surpassed 450 trillion won in assets while 21 ETFs were delisted between January 2 and August 19 this year, according to Korea Exchange data released on August 20. The delistings stem from 'zombie ETFs' failing to attract investor interest amid intense

KC Group founder Go Seok-tae and his family sold over 104 billion won worth of KC Tech shares since the semiconductor and display equipment conglomerate transitioned to a holding company structure in November 2017. Go Seok-tae (72) and his wife Oh Hee-bok (72) disposed of 77.2 billion won in KC Tech

Toss Securities achieved operating profits of 320 billion won in the first half, reaching major-firm-level performance, with 99% of earnings derived from overseas stock trading. Korean small and mid-sized securities firms collectively expanded profits significantly during the first half, driven by s

According to the Korea Exchange, 21 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were delisted in South Korea from January 2 through August 19, 2026, with June and July each accounting for five delistings. As of August 18, 167 ETFs held less than 10 billion Korean won (approximately $7.7 million) in net assets,

According to South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the agency extended the guideline on margin exchange requirements for non-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives transactions on August 20. The extended guideline will take effect from September 2026 and remain in place for one

According to prediction market Myriad and liquidation data from CoinGlass, Bitcoin surged 8.7% to an intraday high of $69,749 on Wednesday (August 19), marking its steepest one-day move since March 4 and highest price since June 1. The rally wiped out $1.14 billion in short positions across crypto m

Mirae Asset Securities released a report on the 20th analyzing recent semiconductor stock volatility, attributing the correction primarily to rising interest rates rather than weakening AI demand. The report titled 'Strategy for Responding to Interest Rate-Driven Volatility Expansion' noted that

Korean retail investor deposits in brokerage accounts recovered to 104.7 trillion won as of the 18th, according to the Korea Financial Investment Association reported on the 20th. The recovery followed a decline to 97.9 trillion won on the 11th, representing an increase of approximately 6.8 trillion

According to CoinGecko, Bitcoin is trading sideways in the $62,000–$65,000 range following a 50% decline from its October 2025 peak of $126,000. Analysts are revisiting the four-year halving cycle theory—which suggests prices rise around Bitcoin's periodic reward halving events—to determine if

According to Yonhap News, U.S. 10-year Treasury yields approached 4.75% on August 20, driving semiconductor stock volatility not due to weakening AI demand but rising global interest rates. AI-related bond issuance surged to $489

According to the Financial Investment Association, South Korea's investor deposits recovered to 104.7 trillion won on August 18, up 7% from 97.9 trillion won on August 11. Margin loan balances also increased to 31.1 trillion won this month, rising 2.17 trillion won (7.5%) since July. The rebound

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received a 33.3% target price upgrade to 1 million won from Shinhan Securities on the 20th. The upgrade followed recent data center power engine orders worth approximately 1.6 trillion won, reflecting expansion beyond core shipbuilding into high-value-added business. The

Korean stocks experienced sector rotation on August 19 as construction, defense, renewable energy, and biotech shares gained while semiconductor giants tumbled. The KOSPI index fell 5.80% to 6471.17 after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 5% overnight, with Samsung Electronics

Korean high-dividend ETFs recovered to 8.0841 trillion won in net assets as of the previous day, rebounding this month after a mid-year decline. The recovery follows rising global long-term government bond yields and increased stock market volatility, which shifted investor preference toward