Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

WTI crude oil touched $79 per barrel intraday on July 13, rising 1.60% during the trading session.

According to Yonhapinfomax, Korea Electric Power Corporation successfully issued $700 million in global bonds (144A/RegS) on July 13, achieving lower rates compared to Korean won-denominated debt. The offering consisted of a 3-year floating-rate note (FRN) of $400 million at SOFR plus 62 basis

According to Yonhapinfomax, the USD/KRW exchange rate closed at 1,497.50 won on July 14, down 5.90 won from the previous day's close of 1,503.40 won. The currency pair had touched a low of 1,491.80 won during London trading. The weakness in the dollar against the Korean won reflected escalating U.S

According to Yonhap Infomax, Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML will report its Q2 results on July 15 (Korea time). The company has guided Q2 revenue at 84-90 billion euros with a gross margin of 51-52%, and analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) of around 7.98 USD, significantly higher

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix profit growth rates declined to single digits in May according to a Heungkuk Securities report released on May 14, with the Korean stock market experiencing increased volatility as a result. Heungkuk Securities researcher Lee Young-won attributed the slowdown to

FSS Governor Lee Chan-jin acknowledged on July 13 that resolving issues with single-stock leveraged products will be difficult due to structural problems, stating that no clear answer is expected. Lee made the remarks at a meeting with CEOs of 20 asset management companies held at the Korea

According to KB Securities researcher Kim Min-kyou on July 14, South Korea's stock market cannot rebound simply due to sharp declines; price recovery requires two conditions: interest rate stability (top-down trigger) and relief for capital suppliers through reassuring events (bottom-up trigger). K

According to Yonhap Infomax, the Financial Investment Association of Korea convened 10 major securities company CEOs on July 14 to address market volatility concerns related to single-stock leveraged ETFs. The products, which launched on May 27 and track Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix returns at 2

According to Barron's, Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani raised Sandisk's (SNDK) target price on Sunday to $3,100 from $1,400, more than doubling his prior estimate. The stock fell 12.6% on Monday to $1,673.97, though analysts remain

Kioxia stock has declined over 20% this month, with Wall Street analyst Mark Li from Sanford C. Bernstein projecting the stock could fall an additional 40% from current levels. The decline follows profit-taking after a sharp rally and reflects growing concerns over competition from Chinese NAND

According to Bernstein analyst Mark Li on July 14, Japanese semiconductor maker Kioxia faces significant downside risk due to intensifying competition from China's YMTC. Li set a target price of 40,000 yen, implying a 40% decline from the July 13 closing price, citing concerns over prolonged NAND

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Francis Lim defended the regulator's decision to file a criminal complaint against the Villar family in January, stating the agency will sue any party that warrants prosecution regardless of political or economic power. The complaint accuses Villar Land

According to Rappler, on Monday, July 13, SEC chair Francis Lim said the regulator has filed a complaint against Villar Land Holdings and family members for alleged insider trading and market manipulation, stressing that no powerful family can escape prosecution. The case centers on Villar Land's 20

Duksan Hi-Metal's subsidiary Duksan Neochem listing case is drawing attention following the Korea Financial Supervisory Commission and Korea Exchange's release of dual-listing guidelines. The KOSDAQ-listed parent company Duksan Hi-Metal and IPO lead underwriter Daishin Securities addressed dual-list

According to BizWatch, Duksan HiMetal received overwhelming shareholder approval on July 14 for its subsidiary Ducksan Nepcore to proceed with an IPO, with 92% support from attending shareholders and 78% from total outstanding shares. Ducksan, in which Duksan HiMetal holds a 63.24% stake, is

NH Investment & Securities stated on the 14th that KOSPI's recent decline has priced in negative factors, with rebounds possible within 2-3 trading days. Analyst Kim Byung-yeon attributed the rapid price adjustment to semiconductor peak-out debates, renewed US-Iran tensions, domestic supply-demand d

According to an NH Investment & Securities report on July 14, South Korea's KOSPI 200 volatility index (VKOSPI) surged to 96.9, surpassing the 89.3 peak recorded during the global financial crisis. The index, which has a long-term average of 21.6, rose to over four times its historical

According to Yeom Dong-chan of Korea Investment & Securities, in a quantitative analysis report released on July 14, leverage-based ETF rebalancing demand is not the primary driver of recent volatility in South Korean equities, though it amplifies existing trends. While South Korean and U.S.