Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

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

Samsung Electronics stocks fell 10% over two days amid concerns that rising US long-term Treasury yields would increase AI investment costs, according to an analysis by KB Securities. Kim Dong-won, head of KB Securities Research Division, stated in a report that AI investment returns are

According to KB Securities, Samsung Electronics stock fell 10% on August 19-20 amid concerns about rising U.S. Treasury yields impacting AI investments. However, the brokerage analyzed that big tech companies' AI investment payback period could shorten to within three years, offsetting rate concerns

On August 20, U.S. long-term Treasury yields approached 5%, raising financing costs for AI data center investments and driving broader volatility in risk assets. The semiconductor sector's recent pullback stems from rising interest rates rather than weakening AI demand, as elevated borrowing costs f

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