Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Zhitong Finance, experimental monkey prices have surged to 200,000 yuan per animal in recent weeks as drug research activity accelerates. Market demand for laboratory monkeys in 2026 is projected to exceed 60,000 units, while domestic supply remains constrained. Brokerage estimates

Democratic Party Representative Kim Won-i proposed an amendment to South Korea's Special Act on National Advanced Strategic Industries alongside the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 15th, enabling financial sector investment in SK Hynix fab facilities. The amendment reduces the

Japan purchased 1.0901 trillion yen in foreign bonds during the week ending July 10, marking a reversal from net sales of 218.1 billion yen in the previous week.

Japanese investors made net purchases of 196.2 billion yen in foreign stocks during the week of July 10, down from 824.5 billion yen in the previous week.

Foreign investors purchased 499.8 billion yen worth of Japanese government bonds in the week to July 10, reversing the prior week's net selling of 5.9 billion yen.

According to industry sources on July 15, South Korea's parliament approved amendments to special legislation allowing financial investors to hold 50% stakes in semiconductor foundries, down from the current 100% requirement. The change targets SK Hynix, a holding company subsidiary, which plans to

According to Yonhap Infomax, South Korea's economic and financial authorities plan to hold a market review meeting (F4 meeting) on June 16 afternoon to announce supplementary measures for single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The meeting will be

Foreign investors bought 745.6 billion yen worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended July 10. Earlier data was revised, with the prior week's net outflow adjusted from 22.2 billion yen to 21.3 billion yen.

According to Yonhap News, on July 16, South Korea's Financial Services Commission chair will announce measures related to single ETFs.

South Korea's Financial Services Commission presented its second-half policy direction to the President on the 15th, outlining a structural reform framework but deferring detailed measures on key issues that markets had anticipated. The FSC announced expansion of the National Growth Fund from 150 tr

Lee Jun-young, a researcher at Eugene Investment & Securities, recommended a barbell strategy for KOSPI stocks on the 16th, as the index's 12-month forward PER has fallen to levels lower than the 2008 financial crisis. Lee stated the two-day rebound was closer to a technical bounce, making it

The USD-KRW exchange rate remained in the 1,480 won range at 6am on the 16th, trading at 1,487.00 won, up 2.30 won from the previous Seoul market close of 1,484.70 won, amid a weaker dollar trend following lower-than-expected US inflation pressures. The decline was driven by weaker-than-forecast US

According to Eugene Investment Securities analyst Lee Jun-young, KOSPI adjusted on July 16 to its lowest 12-month forward price-to-earnings (PER) ratio since the 2008 financial crisis. Lee recommended a barbell strategy, targeting rebound plays in heavily-sold sectors—IT Hardware, Semiconductors, an

According to Yonhapinfomax, South Korea's Financial Commission unveiled its second-half financial reform policy on July 15, expanding the National Growth Fund to 200 trillion won while delaying announcements on sensitive issues. The commission established Korea Strategy Technology Partners (KSTP) to

ASML reported better-than-expected second quarter results on July 15, raising its full-year outlook. The chipmaking equipment maker plans to increase low-NA EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) production capacity by 30% in 2027. The company also announced plans to raise lithography machine

According to Ukrainian officials, CBOT soft red winter wheat futures closed sharply higher on Wednesday, July 16, with the benchmark contract up 5.1% to hit its highest level in two months. The surge reflects escalating

Discussions within South Korea's ruling party regarding the PBR 0.8x Law, also known as the Stock Price Suppression Prevention Law, have regained momentum recently. Rep. Lee So-young of the Democratic Party recently pushed forward an amendment to the Inheritance and Gift Tax Act aimed at

Virtu Financial joined BitGo Prime's global liquidity network, the companies announced Wednesday, extending the electronic trading firm's push into institutional digital asset markets. Virtu will provide liquidity through BitGo Prime's trading network while BitGo continues custody and settlement

Bitcoin suffered its worst monthly performance in two years during June 2026, dropping 20.48% as US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $4.5 billion in net outflows. On July 1, 2026, Bitcoin touched a 21-month low of $58,190, prompting Citigroup to slash its 12-month price target to $82,000 from $112,000.

According to BlockBeats, U.S. officials said on July 16 that President Trump is inclined to expand military operations against Iran. Potential options include intensified air strikes, deploying ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and striking suspected nuclear