Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Smart Finance, Hang Seng Index futures for July closed at 24,917 points on July 17, down 73 points or 0.292%, trading at a 92-point discount.

According to Zhitong Finance, on July 17, Hang Seng Index ADR declined 88.40 points, or 0.35%, to close at 24,920.20, tracking weakness in U.S. equities. Among major blue-chip stocks, HSBC Holdings rose 0.45% to 157.613

South Korean semiconductor stocks face peak-out debate as analysts adjust expectations following recent market volatility. On July 10 at the Nasdaq ADR listing ceremony in New York, SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won defended AI sector growth potential amid bubble concerns, while Morgan Stanley and

According to Morgan Stanley and domestic brokerages, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix faced downgrade in growth outlooks in recent weeks as concerns about earnings deceleration mounted. On July 10, SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won disputed bubble narratives, stating AI is "still only 5 years old" and

According to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve, the regional manufacturing activity index jumped 31.1 points to 41.4 on July 16, far exceeding analyst expectations of 13.0 and hitting its highest level since April 2021. Meanwhile, the U.S. Labor Department reported that weekly jobless insurance

According to Yonhapinfomax, oil prices declined on July 16 (U.S. Eastern Time) as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran continued despite Tehran's threat to blockade the Red Sea. August WTI crude fell 0.82% to $78.95 per barrel, while September Brent crude dropped 0.85% to $84.23 per barrel on the

According to CME Fed Watch on July 17, the Federal Reserve has an 88.8% probability of holding interest rates unchanged in July and an 11.2% probability of raising rates by 25 basis points. For September, the Fed has a 48.8% probability of maintaining rates, a 46.2% probability of raising rates by

According to reports, TSMC reported record Q2 net profit of 7.066 trillion New Taiwan dollars (approximately $219.9 billion), up 77% year-over-year, and Q2 revenue of $402 billion on July 16. The company also raised its full-year revenue growth guidance from over 30% to slightly above 40%, citing ro

According to Jin10's tracking, the U.S. conducted its sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets on July 17, hitting military bases and infrastructure. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed strikes on U.S. positions at bases in Kuwait and Jordan, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard

According to Xinhua News Agency, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira criticized U.S. Secretary of State Rubio today for attacking President Lula in a "rude and arrogant manner." Vieira stated that the U.S. announcement of 25% tariffs on certain Brazilian products lacks "any valid justification" a

Individual investors in South Korea reversed their exchange-traded fund (ETF) buying direction within one day, according to data from KOSCOM and Timefolio Asset Management on the 16th. On the 15th, when the KOSPI surged 6.24%, individuals purchased inverse ETFs and sold leverage products, while on t

According to data from Korea Securities Exchange and TimefoliO Asset Management, retail investors in South Korea reversed their ETF trading direction on consecutive trading days in mid-July. On July 15, when the KOSPI index surged 6.24%, retail investors bought inverse ETFs and sold leveraged

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs recorded combined inflows of $161.63 million on July 15, led by Blackrock's IBIT and ETHA funds, marking a second consecutive day without outflows across both categories. Bitcoin ETFs added $107.80 million while Ether ETFs brought in $53.83 million, reflecting consistent

According to Brazil's Foreign Minister Vieira, on July 16, the U.S. tariff of 25% on Brazilian imports lacks any factual basis and is driven by political motives. Vieira stated that the American measures are unacceptable, asserting that the investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act is a

International gold prices fell over 1% on the 16th (US Eastern Time) as Iran instructed Yemen's Houthi rebels to prepare for a Red Sea blockade if the United States strikes Iranian power facilities, raising inflation concerns. At 2:53 PM ET on the 16th, August delivery gold futures (GCQ6) on the

According to CME COMEX data, August gold futures fell $64 (down 1.58%) to $3,987.80 per troy ounce on July 16 in afternoon trading, marking the lowest level since June 30. Iran has instructed Yemen's Houthi militant group to blockade the Red Sea and Strait of Bab el-Mandeb if the U.S. attacks

According to EU Copernicus satellite imagery, at least four oil tankers are transporting cargo near UAE's Fujairah port and Oman's Sohar port. These areas serve as major transshipment hubs for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which then redirect cargo to final destinations. The timing of ves

According to market analysts, on July 16, chip stocks declined sharply amid investor concerns about whether massive artificial intelligence capital expenditures would generate sufficient returns to justify current valuations, with deteriorating U.S.-Iran tensions further dampening risk

Since South Korean government bonds were included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) in late March 2026, foreign investors have been making large-scale bond purchases. Cumulative net inflows reached 42 trillion won through mid-July, exceeding market expectations. However, a closer

US Stocks fell on July 16 (local time) as the semiconductor sector dragged down major indices, with the SOX semiconductor index plunging 4.29%. The Nasdaq Composite declined 1.47% to close at 25,881.95, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.51% to 7,533.77 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.20% to 52