Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Korea Exchange data from August 25, over the past month, South Korea's major conglomerate-focused ETFs showed divergent performance, with LG, POSCO, and Hanwha group ETFs significantly outperforming Samsung group products. TIGER LG Group Plus ETF gained 8.96%, ACE POSCO Group Focus ETF

Apple's newly appointed CEO John Ternus confronts an immediate memory semiconductor supply challenge as prices surge and geopolitical tensions restrict sourcing options. DDR4 8-gigabit chips hit a record $42.45 on the 7th, with DRAM prices jumping over 80% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 due to AI

On August 26, China's interbank foreign exchange market reported the Chinese yuan strengthening against the U.S. dollar, with USD/CNY settling at 6.7829, down 23 points. Among major currency pairs, EUR/CNY rose 16 points

Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down from his position on September 1 after 15 years leading the company, transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of the board. John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will assume the CEO role. Cook's tenure saw Apple's market

According to Jin10, on August 26, multiple China-focused ETFs experienced significant premium expansion, prompting trading halts and risk warnings from fund managers. Eight funds saw premiums ranging from 8% to 26%, including Nikkei 200 ETF with 26% premium and China-Korea Semiconductor ETF paused a

According to South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, suspected illegal short selling cases surged 38-fold over five years, with 42 cases reported in 2026 alone. The increase reflects both enhanced monitoring capabilities following the deployment of the

According to Yonhapinfomax, Apple's newly appointed CEO John Ternus faces an urgent supply chain challenge in securing memory semiconductors. As of mid-August, DDR4 8-gigabit chips reached an all-time high of $42.45, with DRAM prices rising over 80% quarter-over-quarter, according to Trendforce.

According to Barclays, the bank's equity strategy team warned that continued expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is facing bipartisan voter backlash in the United States, with political risks potentially underestimated ahead of November's midterm elections. Regulatory scrutiny on

According to Yonhapinfomax, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO for 15 years, will transition to Executive Chairman on September 1, with John Ternus, SVP of Hardware Engineering, assuming the chief executive position. Under Cook's leadership, Apple's market capitalization surged from approximately $350 billion i

According to Guru Club, on August 26, ethylene glycol main contract futures hit the daily limit-down, declining 5.99% to 5,168 yuan per metric ton.

KOSDAQ-listed companies conducted 276 stock consolidations this year following regulatory changes targeting penny stocks, but 83% experienced stock price declines post-consolidation according to data covering cases between February 12 and July 15. The consolidations were triggered by new listing

According to Hanwha Investment Securities, 83% of 156 KOSDAQ-listed companies' stock consolidations completed since February have seen their share prices decline as of July 15, despite 276 total consolidation decisions this year aimed at avoiding penny stock status. The South Korean financial

Seoul bond markets are expected to strengthen on the 26th as international oil prices decline, according to financial analysis. The Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to meet the following day. Governor Shin Hyun-song previously referenced an 'oil tanker' metaphor when

Financial institutions surveyed by Yonhap Infomax forecast South Korea's August consumer price index to rise 3.27% year-over-year, marking a return to the 3% range after July's 2.8% increase. The projected uptick stems from three factors: agricultural price increases driven by extreme heat, a base e

According to Korea Development Bank and deal adviser PwC Korea, KDB Life Insurance recently selected Korea Investment & Securities Holdings as its preferred bidder. The move marks the seventh acquisition attempt for KDB Life, following six failed transactions. Previous failed deals reportedly

Bitcoin (BTC) pulled back to around $78,500 on Aug. 26, with its daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 82.44—above the commonly used overbought threshold of 70—triggering profit-taking among early buyers. On the macro front, Boston Fed President Susan Collins said that if inflation data did not continue to improve, the Fed would raise interest rates “as soon as possible.” Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the annual central banking symposium in Jackson Hole on Au

The KOSPI index traded at 6753.64 on the 26th at 9:46 AM, up 10.90 points (0.16%) from the previous trading day, supported by individual investor buying despite net selling from foreign and institutional investors. Individual investors net purchased 168.8 billion won worth of stocks while

Energy futures declined broadly today (August 26). Low sulfur fuel oil (LU) futures fell over 8% to 4,691 yuan/ton, while styrene (EB) dropped 4% to 8,608 yuan/ton. PTA futures slid 4% to 5,550 yuan/ton, methanol contracts fell 4% to 2,828 yuan/ton, and pure benzene declined 4% to 7,471 yuan/ton.

According to iNews24, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) received a proposal from the U.S. government on Aug 26 to jointly acquire stakes in Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC). The stock surged 10.24% to 36,050 Korean won as of 9:45 a.m., reflecting market optimism over the potential

The USD-KRW exchange rate is expected to cautiously test lower levels in the 1,380 won range on August 26, according to market analysis. A wait-and-see atmosphere is likely to dominate as major variables have not yet clearly materialized. Diplomatic signals between the US and Iran have created