Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Commercial Times reporting, TSMC is in talks to acquire two older-generation panel factories owned by AU Optronics in Taichung, near TSMC's existing fab complex, for over NT$30 billion to support advanced packaging including CoPoS and FOPLP. TSMC has completed on-site audits, with AUO p

Kakao announced on the 21st a spin-off plan to divide the company into Kakao AI and Kakao X, one day after disclosing on the 20th that Kakao Mobility's ADR listing in the U.S. was under review. The spin-off, structured as a spin-off rather than a carve-out, will allocate approximately 36.5% of net a

According to Korea Exchange, on August 24, unhedged overseas ETFs in South Korea significantly underperformed their currency-hedged counterparts as the Korean won strengthened, with the USD/KRW exchange rate falling below 1,380. The gap between unhedged and hedged S&P 500 ETFs reached 3.13

ING Bank stated on the 23rd (local time) that the US Treasury's expanded bond buyback measures represent a market signal that will lead to dollar weakness. The bank explained through its publication that while questions arise about the buyback's effectiveness, the core message is that rising long-te

Seoul foreign exchange market dealers forecast on the 24th that the USD-KRW exchange rate will move around the 1,380 won level. Downward pressure on the dollar-won pair continues due to negotiation volumes from semiconductor exporters and offshore selling. However, foreign dividend remittances

Park Jung-sung, South Korea's newly appointed Trade Minister, stated on the 24th that implementing strategic investment with the United States represents the greatest challenge and opportunity in bilateral relations. He emphasized this cooperation framework would rival the significance of the Korea-

According to Bank of America Chief Investment Strategist Michael Hartnett, Treasury Secretary Benson announced last week that he would double the size of long-term Treasury buybacks, a move Hartnett characterized as "quasi-QE" in his latest Flow Show report. U.S. total government debt has surged

According to Yonhapinfomax, Seoul foreign exchange dealers expect the USD/KRW rate to move around the 1,380 won level on August 24. The Korean won has been supported by semiconductor exporters' negotiated selling volumes and offshore selling pressure on the dollar. However, dealers view it

Individual and foreign investors in Korean stocks recorded sharply different returns during the recent market volatility period from July 28 to August 21, according to Korea Exchange (KRX) transaction data analyzed on August 24. Foreign investors achieved an average return of 15.4% on their top

According to Korea Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, 10.489608 million shares of SK iI Technology will be released from lock-up protection on August 28, representing 13% of total issued shares. The shares were issued as part of a third-party allocation capital increase last

According to Korea Exchange trading data, foreign investors' top five holdings achieved an average return of 15.4% during recent market volatility, more than double the 7.6% average gain of retail investors' most-purchased stocks as of August 21. While retail investors focused on large-cap stocks

US stock index futures traded slightly higher in Asian markets on the morning of the 24th, showing a modest rebound following recent market corrections, while US Treasury yields declined. The technical recovery came after major US indices recorded consecutive weekly declines last week, pressured

Bitcoin rebounded sharply during the week ended August 21, rising from a low of approximately $62,700 to a three-month high of $79,500, for a weekly gain of about 23%. Although prices fell back to the $77,000 range over the weekend, Gate market data showed that, as of August 24, 比特币报价$77,220.6, down slightly by 0.04% over 24 hours, while its cumulative seven-day gain remained at 16.99%. Meanwhile, 以太坊报价$2,438.43, up 0.50% over 24 hours but down 1.40% over seven days, diverging from Bitcoin's per

E-Mart chairman Jeong Yong-jin received a 28% higher performance bonus in the first half despite poor Q2 results linked to Starbucks Korea controversy. The Economic Reform Research Institute criticized the bonus increase as inappropriate, stating that Jeong should bear responsibility for the Tank

According to Yonhap Infomax, on August 24, U.S. stock index futures rebounded modestly in Asian morning trading. E-Mini S&P 500 futures rose 0.09% to 7,698.50, while E-Mini Nasdaq-100 futures gained 0.12% to 29,423.25, following a market correction in the prior week. U.S. Treasury yields declined a

Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) stock plunged over 10% in overnight trading late Sunday after the optical-networking firm announced a $600 million at-the-market equity offering in a regulatory filing submitted after market close on Friday. The offering triggered dilution concerns among investors,

Applied Optoelectronics' stock plunged over 10% in overnight trading late Sunday after the company announced a $600 million at-the-market (ATM) equity offering, according to SEC filings. The optical-networking firm submitted the regulatory filing after market close on Friday, detailing that

In one month following regulatory tightening on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), domestic ETF trading volumes in South Korea declined by nearly 50%. The sharp pullback in single-stock leverage products, which had driven explosive growth in ETF market turnover since May, is now

According to CNBC, on August 24, the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods following the collapse of trade negotiations. Canadian Prime Minister Carney announced retaliatory tariffs set to take effect on September 8. Separately, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to announce

According to Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion for the first time on August 24, potentially supporting Asian currencies amid concerns over fiscal sustainability. The bank's global economics team noted that worries about government debt sustainability could