Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

LG Display reported an operating loss in Q2, marking its first quarterly loss in four quarters since last year's Q2. The company posted Q2 revenue of 5.6121 trillion won and an operating loss of 107.7 billion won. The loss was attributed to seasonal off-peak demand as finished product

According to CNBC, on July 21, investment bank Raymond James upgraded its rating on Ralph Lauren (NYS:RL) from Market Perform to Outperform, setting a price target of $410, implying roughly 7% upside from the prior close. The firm cited favorable sales mix driving average unit retail

Bitcoin was reported at $66,663 on July 22, rising from a low of $65,149 during the day to $66,965, but it failed to hold the $67,000 resistance level. The United States carried out airstrikes against Iran for the tenth consecutive day, and Trump on Tuesday warned that the U.S. military would strike Iran’s “Pickaxe Mountain” underground facilities. WTI crude rose about 2.6% to $84.70 per barrel. Concerns about inflation driven by higher oil prices limited Bitcoin’s upside. Trump Warns of Strikes

According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japan's crude oil imports from the Middle East dropped 26.4% in the first half of 2026.

Samsung Biologics announced on the 20th a public tender offer to acquire all shares of Polypeptide Group, a Swiss-listed contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), for approximately 1.46 billion Swiss francs (about 2.7 trillion won), marking the largest merger and acquisition in

According to South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, LG Display reported an operating loss of 1.077 trillion Korean won in the second quarter of 2026, with revenue of 5.6121 trillion won. The loss marks the company's first operating deficit in four quarters, attributed to voluntary retirement e

According to Jinlian Energy and Jin10 Futures, on July 22, China's gasoline and diesel prices are set to rise 580 yuan/ton, with the change rate at 11.07% and reference crude averaging $86.49 per barrel. The current pricing adjustment window closes on July 31 at 24:00.

South Korea's KOSPI index surged 5.96% to 7,150.26 at 9:15 AM on the 22nd. The index reclaimed the 7,000 level for the first time in 4 trading days since the 15th. Foreign investors drove the rally with net buying of 1.2636 trillion won, while semiconductor leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix r

According to SoSoValue data, XRP spot ETFs recorded net inflows of $5.66 million on July 21. Franklin XRP ETF (XRPZ) was the sole contributor with the full amount, bringing its historical cumulative net inflows to $421 million. As of reporting, total XRP spot ETF assets under management stood at $1.

Mirae Asset's two US index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) surpassed 30 trillion won in combined net assets as of the previous day. The TIGER US S&P500 and TIGER US Nasdaq100 ETFs recorded total net assets of 30.9908 trillion won, according to Mirae Asset on the 22nd. Steady buying by individual

Bae Jae-kyu, CEO of Korea Investment Trust Management, stated in an interview on the 21st that AI is a 20-30 year megatrend. Known as the 'father of ETFs,' he told Asia Economy that investors should focus on long-term direction rather than daily market fluctuations. Bae introduced Korea's first ETF in 2002 while at Samsung Asset Management, building the foundation for Korea's ETF market which has grown to hundreds of trillions of won. He warned against short-term speculation and emphasized the i

According to Jin10 Futures, the CFETS-NEX onshore yuan funding sentiment index fell to 47 as of 08:45 on July 22, declining 1 point from 16:00 on July 21. By institution type, the index for large-sized banks, medium and small banks, and non-bank institutions stood at 46, 48, and 46 respectively,

According to Mirae Asset, the combined net assets of TIGER S&P 500 ETF and TIGER Nasdaq-100 ETF surpassed 30.99 trillion Korean won on July 22. The two flagship products now account for over 50% of total AUM among all U.S. benchmark index ETFs listed on the Korean stock exchange, ranking as the

According to an interview with Asia Economy News yesterday (July 21), Bae Jae-kyou, CEO of Korea Investment Trust Management and known as the father of ETFs, emphasized that artificial intelligence represents a 20-to-30 year megatrend comparable to historical breakthroughs like steam engines,

Japan's Nikkei 225 index expanded its intraday gains to 2% on July 22.

According to Goldman Sachs research published recently, the investment bank upgraded China BAK Battery (Zheng力新能, 03677) to Buy with a 12-month price target of HKD 13.0, implying 139% upside from recent levels. The company trades at

Four petrochemical companies in South Korea's Yeosu industrial complex received approval on the 22nd for a major restructuring plan that will create a single integrated entity. Yeocheon NCC, Lotte Chemical, Hanwha Solutions, and DL Chemical submitted the final 'Yeosu Project 1 Restructuring Plan'

Tesla (NAS:TSLA) stock closed at $378.93 on July 21 local time, up 2.53%, ahead of its Q2 earnings release scheduled for after market close on July 22 local time. Wall Street expects the electric vehicle maker to report $26.21 billion in revenue, a 16% increase from the prior year, and adjusted earn

According to Korea Exchange, South Korea's KOSPI index surged 5.96% to 7,150.26 as of 9:15 a.m. on July 22, reclaiming the 7,000-point level. The rally was driven by gains in semiconductor stocks, with major chipmakers leading the market

Hana Materials is projected to achieve strong Q2 2024 earnings, according to Shinhan Investment & Securities. The South Korean semiconductor etching component manufacturer received a 43% target price upgrade to 83,000 won, with Q2 operating profit forecast at 23.4 billion won, representing 176%