Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

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

According to Korea Exchange data released on August 21, individual investors' net purchases of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined to 43.7% of top 20 holdings on August 20, down from 70.5% in June. The combined net purchases of the two semiconductor stocks totaled 2.7 trillion won, compared to

Korean stocks fluctuated this week as US Treasury rate volatility clashed with shareholder return expectations from semiconductor leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The KOSPI closed at 6912.95 on Aug 21, down 0.93% from the previous week's 6977.94, after dropping to the 6400 level mid-week

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warned that the rapid increase in US debt poses growing risks for investors and recommended increasing allocations to gold and Bitcoin. According to Dalio, recent movements in the US Treasury bond market indicate the long-term Big Debt Cycle has

South Korean non-financial private companies quadrupled their net dollar sales in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, according to Bank of Korea data obtained by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-jun on the 23rd. Corporate dollar sales in Q2 reached $263.59 billion, a 71.5%

According to Yonhapnews, South Korean non-financial private enterprises' dollar sales surged 71.5% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026 to $263.59 billion, while dollar purchases reached $153.94 billion. Net dollar selling jumped to $109.65 billion, roughly four times higher than the $29.47

An unidentified whale sold 7,700 BTC worth approximately $576.6 million between August 19 and 22 as Bitcoin trades near $80,000. The sale included a 2,700 BTC transaction worth roughly $211.8 million executed hours ago. The disposal follows Bitcoin's strongest weekly rally since 2024, with prices cl

According to Korean Economic TV, SK Hynix announced a 40 trillion won share buyback and cancellation program on August 22, as share prices reached 1.7 million won per level, creating investment barriers for retail investors. The market is closely watching potential stock split measures to improve ac

According to Jin10, Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei stated on Aug 22 that any country participating in economic restrictions against Iran will be considered an enemy. Rezaei said Iran has learned to circumvent sanctions and continues to sell oil despite months of U.S.

According to Jin10, Fed Chair Jerome Voelker will deliver remarks at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Wyoming on August 27. Investors are anticipating further clarity on how the Federal Reserve plans to address persistent inflation, though it remains uncertain whether he will provide

According to Jin10, on August 23, Iran's top security official Rezaei warned Gulf states against joining U.S. economic sanctions, threatening to disrupt oil exports through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz if they comply. Rezaei claimed that U.S. President Trump launched the economic war agains

U.S. spot bitcoin and ether ETFs drew a combined $2.6 billion in net inflows last week, according to The Block's analysis of SoSoValue data. The result marked their strongest weekly performance since October 2025, with spot bitcoin ETFs logging $1.9 billion and spot ether ETFs drawing $697.2

According to The Block's analysis of SoSoValue data, U.S. spot bitcoin and ether ETFs drew a combined $2.6 billion in net inflows last week, marking their strongest week since October 2025. Bitcoin ETFs logged $1.9 billion, while ether ETFs attracted $697.2 million, both recording their largest week

According to an official statement, Canadian Prime Minister Carney held a video conference with provincial and territorial leaders on August 22 to discuss a pause in trade negotiations with the United States. Carney outlined measures to protect Canadian interests, including reciprocal tariffs set to

SK Hynix announced a 40 trillion won share buyback and cancellation plan on May 19, with the stock closing at 1.5 million won that day before recovering to 1.624 million won in after-hours trading. The buyback follows the stock surpassing 1.7 million won per share, prompting speculation about a