Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Skylabs, a digital healthcare company, will conduct a public IPO subscription on August 26-27 through lead underwriter Korea Investment & Securities. The company aims to raise 26-32 billion KRW to expand its AI-based medical data platform business. Skylabs develops ring-type wearable devices that co

According to IBK Securities, the firm on August 23 launched IBKS Black Numbers SPAC fund, a discretionary wrap account that distributes investments across 8-10 domestic listed SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies). The minimum investment is 50 million won. The fund is managed in

According to Korea Exchange data released on August 21, South Korea-focused North Korea economic cooperation theme stocks surged sharply amid speculation about potential North Korea-U.S. summit talks. Goodpeople shares jumped 80% to 595 won from 330 won during the week, marking the top gainer

According to President Trump, U.S.-Canada trade negotiations are "almost" complete as of yesterday (August 21), with both sides aiming to reach an agreement before the midnight deadline. The proposed deal would reduce Canadian auto tariffs

South Korean retirement pension assets reached 553.9 trillion won in Q2 2026, marking a quarterly increase of 45.1 trillion won — the largest gain since statistics began in Q3 2019, according to Financial Supervisory Service data released through the Integrated Pension Portal. Individual-managed

According to Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, South Korea's retirement pension reserves reached 553.9 trillion won in the second quarter, marking a record quarterly increase of 45.1 trillion won from the prior quarter. The surge was driven by individual-managed products, with personal

Korean cosmetics, gold, and biotech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) outperformed during May 3-21, while the KOSPI showed limited gains. SOL Cosmetics TOP3 Plus rose 30.09%, ranking fourth among domestic ETFs, compared to KOSPI's 4.81% gain during the same period. The surge was driven by

Ten BBB-grade or lower credit-rated companies conducted demand forecasting for public corporate bonds in South Korea this year through August 21, marking the lowest count in five years according to investment banking industry data released August 23. Total order amounts for these non-investment grad

According to Korea Exchange, cosmetics-focused ETFs significantly outperformed the broader market between August 3-21. The SOL Cosmetics TOP3 Plus ETF, which holds stakes in Korean beauty manufacturers, rose 30.09%, ranking fourth among all domestic listed ETFs. This contrasted sharply with the

U.S. Trade Representative Grier recently proposed reducing tariffs on most Canadian steel products to 25%, while cutting aluminum tariffs from 50% to 25%.

The KOSPI stock market recorded a daily average turnover rate of 0.56% in August through the 21st, marking the lowest level this year, according to data from the Korea Exchange released on the 23rd. Despite Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix stocks rebounding recently, investor sentiment remains

Korean stocks listed in the third quarter have underperformed significantly, with eight newly listed companies on KOSPI and KOSDAQ averaging a 25% decline from their offering prices as of the 21st closing price. The companies, which debuted between July and the 21st of this month (excluding REITs an

According to Korea Exchange, as of August 21, KOSPI's average daily turnover rate dropped to 0.56% this month, marking its lowest level since August 2025. This represents roughly one-third of the peak 1.74% recorded in March. Average daily

According to the Korea Exchange, as of August 21, newly listed companies on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets fell an average of 25% below their offering prices since July, marking a sharp reversal from Q2's performance. The eight listed firms (excluding REITs and SPACs) saw only a 2.96% average gain on

On Friday (August 21), major U.S. stock indices rebounded, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each rising 0.43%, while the Dow Jones surged 517.80 points (0.98%). Healthcare, financials, and materials led gains. Despite Friday's recovery, all three indices posted weekly losses: the S&P 500 down 1.4%, Nasda

Six foreign securities firms operating in South Korea recorded combined Q2 net profit of 630.5 billion won, according to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association released on the 23rd. This represents a 213.8% increase compared to last year's Q2 net profit of 290.9 billion won and a 133.3

According to the Financial Investment Association, six major foreign securities firms posted combined net profits of 630.5 billion won in Q2 2026, surging 213.8% year-over-year and 133.3% from Q1. JP Morgan led with net profit of 204.5 billion won and operating profit of 269.8 billion won, while

On August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced retaliatory tariffs set to take effect on September 8, in response to U.S. tariffs of 50% on $200 billion worth of Canadian goods. The countermeasures will cover dairy, steel, appliances, pulp and paper, and electronics

Korean individual investors shifted their stock buying patterns from June through August, reducing concentration in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to 43.7% of top-20 net purchases by August (through the 20th) from 70.5% in June, according to Korea Exchange data analyzed on the 21st. The

According to Chosun Biz, Nvidia will report earnings on August 26 (local time) this week, with market focus on whether the company maintains high gross margins and makes progress in resolving chip packaging bottlenecks amid strong AI investment demand. U.S. 30-year Treasury yields surged to 5.3%, t