Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to iShares data, the world's largest silver ETF, iShares Silver Trust, increased holdings by 89.97 tons from the previous day. Current holdings stand at 15,137.23 tons.

South Korea's trade balance for July came in at $32.32 billion in its initial reading, exceeding forecasts of $29.59 billion. The previous month's figure was revised to $36.088 billion from an initially reported $36.149 billion.

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold ETF, saw holdings decrease by 0.856 tons on August 1, bringing total holdings to 1,007.015 tons.

South Korea's July exports grew 62.8% year-over-year, surpassing the 59% forecast but declining from 70.9% growth recorded in June.

According to Korean customs data, South Korea's imports rose 26.5% year-over-year in July 2026, missing the forecasted 27.8% and declining from 30.1% in the previous month.

According to earnings reports released in Q2, Exxon Mobil and Chevron warned that the ongoing Iran conflict, combined with reduced Chinese refined oil exports and Russian refinery disruptions, will keep global diesel and refined product supplies tight through the second half of 2026, supporting

According to Tsinghtong Finance, on August 1, the Hang Seng Index bull-bear warrant street cargo ratio stood at 43:57. Bear warrants showed heaviest concentration in the 26,000-26,099 range with 1,367 contracts, up 94 from the previous trading day. Bull warrants peaked in the 25,200-25,299 range wit

According to Shintan Finance, Hang Seng Index August night futures closed at 25,922 points on August 1, down 18 points or 0.069%. The contract traded at a premium (contango) of 38 points.

According to Zhitong Finance, on Friday (August 1), Hong Kong stocks' ADR rose, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.18% to 25,931.38 points. Among major blue-chip stocks, Tencent Holdings gained 1.38% to 481.74

Micron (MU-US) stock retreated on Friday, July 31, closing down 5.9% at $823.03 per share, reversing earlier gains after surging 18% Thursday. Despite Apple and Amazon earnings reaffirming strong artificial intelligence-driven memory demand, investor sentiment weakened due to mounting concerns

DS Investment Securities analyst Lee Su-rim projects that semiconductor stocks retain significant upside potential based on historical cycle analysis, with operating profit peaks not expected until Q4 next year. During the 2017-2018 memory super cycle, SK Hynix reached three separate all-time

Korea Investment & Securities raised its target prices for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to 650,000 won and 4.7 million won respectively on the 1st, following the companies' earnings announcements. The brokerage increased Samsung's target by 10% from 590,000 won and SK Hynix's by 24% from 3.8 mil

According to DS Investment Securities analyst Lee Soo-rim, on July 31, SK Hynix's operating profit is expected to peak in the fourth quarter of 2027, with the stock price anticipated to reach new highs multiple times before then. Drawing parallels to the 2017–2018 memory cycle, when SK Hynix's profi

Trucking stocks declined sharply in July, with the Russell 3000 Trucking Index dropping over 8% for its worst month since tariff volatility roiled the sector. CH Robinson Worldwide Inc. shares fell 21% this month following a Dallas County jury's preliminary ruling against the company. Despite the s

According to Yonhap Infomax, Korean Investment & Securities raised its target prices for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to 650,000 Korean won and 4.7 million Korean won respectively on August 1, representing increases of 10% and 24% from prior levels. The brokerage maintained its overweight

Tether, the world's leading stablecoin issuer, added 14 tonnes of physical gold during the second quarter and reported $1.5 billion in net operating profit, according to its Q2 financial report published Friday. The purchase increased the company's total bullion holdings to more than 146 tonnes,

According to Apple's latest earnings call, the company is evaluating Chinese memory suppliers including Changxin Storage (DRAM) and Yangtze Memory (NAND flash) to increase supply flexibility amid rising memory costs. Memory procurement costs rose from Q1 2026 (ended March) to Q2 (ended June) and

According to Tether's Q2 financial report, the stablecoin issuer added 14 tonnes of physical gold during the quarter, bringing its total bullion holdings to over 146 tonnes, valued at approximately $18.8 billion. The company reported $1.5 billion in net operating profit for Q2, with USDt stablecoin

SpaceX shares fell 3.41% to $108.37 on July 31, marking the lowest closing price since the company's U.S. IPO, and have declined 36.57% for the month. Since reaching a peak of $201.80 on June 16, SpaceX stock has plunged 46%. Elon Musk's personal wealth has consequently fallen to $684 billion from a