Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Bank of Korea resumed gold investment after a 13-year pause since 2013, as three major Korean banks' combined gold banking balances fell over 700 billion won in six months through July. The central bank cited heightened interest in safe-haven assets due to Middle East conflicts and U.S.

According to Chosun Ilbo, on August 7, South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung ordered a comprehensive review of the government's proposed Individual Savings Account (ISA) overhaul and stock price suppression prevention plan, just four days after the tax reform package was announced on August 3. The I

According to Yonhapinfomax, South Korea's central bank announced in August that it will resume gold purchases for the first time in 13 years, citing prolonged geopolitical risks and reduced acquisition costs. The decision follows a sharp decline in international gold prices, which have fallen

On its earnings release day, LIG Neoense and Aerospace (LIG D&A) stock fell 12%, with results falling short of market expectations and bribery allegations against executives damaging investor sentiment. An employee and executives were arrested on suspicion of offering bribes to defense procurement o

South Korean stocks continued their decline led by semiconductor companies, with the KOSPI closing at 6,258.77 on the 7th, down 37.61 points or 0.60% from the previous session. KB Securities analyst Kim Min-gyu identified undervalued sectors including banking, food, cosmetics, non-ferrous metals,

Crocs, the Nasdaq-listed footwear company, saw its stock price surge from $85 to $136 this year, marking a nearly 60% gain. The company released Q2 results last month showing record quarterly revenue of 1.179 billion dollars, driven by explosive growth in Asian markets including China, India, and

According to its Q2 earnings report released on July 30, Crocs stock has surged from $85 to $136 year-to-date, up approximately 60%, driven by explosive growth in Asian markets. The Nasdaq-listed footwear company posted second-quarter revenue of $1.179 billion, up 2.6% and marking record quarterly p

Multiple Korean companies are conducting initial public offering (IPO) subscriptions during the second week of August. Kido Industries will hold general subscriptions on 11-12, while Hatchtech and Nearthlab will accept subscriptions on 12-13. The companies are seeking capital through KOSDAQ market l

Securities firms in South Korea are expanding fractional investment services as the industry prepares for the opening of over-the-counter exchanges for fractional investments within the year. According to the financial investment industry on the 9th, Shinhan Investment & Securities recently signed a

Korean retail investors are withdrawing funds from the domestic stock market amid extreme volatility, with investor deposits falling 36.8 trillion won in two months to 102.82 trillion won as of this month 3rd, according to Korea Exchange data released on the 9th. The exodus follows unprecedented mar

KB Asset Management, Korea Investment Trust Management, and VI Asset Management will list three new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Korea Exchange on the 11th. The offerings include passive ETFs focused on US space infrastructure and Korean strategic industries, as well as an active

According to Korea Exchange, three new exchange-traded funds will launch on the Korea Exchange on August 11. KB Asset Management's 'RISE U.S. Space Satellite Communications' ETF will invest in 10 U.S. space infrastructure and satellite communication companies. Korean Investment Trust Management's 'A

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nonfarm payrolls declined by 23,000 in July, contrary to economist expectations of a 50,000 increase, weighing on the dollar on Friday (August 7). The ICE Dollar Index (DXY) fell 0.44% to 99.50, marking a second consecutive week of losses. The softer

SK Hynix announced a quarterly dividend of 375 won per share (totaling 273.3 billion won) on the 7th after market close, alongside a commitment to finalize and announce additional shareholder return measures within Q3. The announcement came after the stock fell -4.88% during regular trading, with th

According to a filing with South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service on August 7, SK Hynix announced a quarterly dividend of 375 won per ordinary share, totaling approximately 273.3 billion won, while pledging to establish and announce additional shareholder return measures by the end of the

According to Korea Exchange and Financial Supervisory Service disclosures on July 7, 48 companies (38 KOSDAQ, 10 KOSPI) issued delisting risk notices after share prices fell below 1,000 Korean won for 25 consecutive trading days. The new rule, effective July 1, mandates management-listed status if p

The S&P 500 hit a record high on Friday (August 7) with a weekly gain of 3.6%, marking its best week since April, as July U.S. nonfarm payroll unexpectedly fell 23,000 against expectations of a 23,000 gain. The jobless rate dropped to 4.1%, lower than the forecasted 4.2%. CME FedWatch data shows

Hanwha Corporation completed a spin-off on August 1, dividing into existing Hanwha Corp and newly established Hanwha Machinery & Services Holdings (Hanwha M&S), with trading halted from July 30 and scheduled to resume August 25. The restructuring transferred approximately 900 billion won in assets t

According to Yonhapinfomax, on August 1, Hanwha Group completed a personnel restructuring, spinning off tech and lifestyle divisions into newly established Hanwha Machinery & Service Holdings (Hanwha M&S) and transferring approximately 900 billion won in assets. The split transfers lifestyle