Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix paid a combined 11.2 trillion won in corporate tax during the first half of the year, marking a 167% increase from 4.19 trillion won in the same period last year, according to semi-annual reports analyzed by Yonhap Infomax on the 24th. The surge reflects an

Apple faces potential changes to its 15-year, $877 billion share buyback policy as CEO Tim Cook steps down April 1 and John Turnus takes over. Turnus, a 25-year Apple veteran who joined in 2001 and led core hardware development for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, represents the company's first

According to Yonhapinfomax, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's combined corporate tax payments in the first half of 2026 reached 11.2 trillion won, surging 167% from 4.1 trillion won in the same period of 2025, the companies' semi-annual reports showed on August 24. Samsung's H1 tax payments

According to Motley Fool, Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, with John Ternus, a 25-year veteran of the company and hardware product chief, taking the helm. The leadership change has raised questions about shifts in Apple's capital allocation strategy. Under Cook's tenure, Apple re

Samsung Electronics announced a shareholder return plan totaling approximately 90 trillion to 110 trillion won on the 21st, according to securities industry sources on the 24th. The announcement triggered market disappointment, with the stock dropping to 269,500 won in aftermarket trading from the r

Shinhan Investment & Securities on the 24th projected that the strategic value of Alteogen's Keytruda subcutaneous (SC) formulation will rise further following Moderna's Phase 3 clinical success for its personalized messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccine. The firm maintained a 'Buy' rating and a 480,00

SK Securities maintained its 'BUY' rating and 4 million won target price for Hyosung Heavy Industries, highlighting the expansion of its US subsidiary's customer base from utility-focused clients to include AI datacenter operators. Analyst Na Min-sik noted that while US power grid investments from u

DS Investment Securities raised its target price for Hanwha Aerospace from 1.67 million KRW to 1.83 million KRW on Aug 24, maintaining a 'buy' rating following Hanwha Defense USA's contract win for the US Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) prototype program. The brokerage cited the K9 wheeled

Daol Investment & Securities raised target prices for Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance on the 24th, projecting the two companies will receive trillions of won in dividends from Samsung Electronics' large-scale shareholder return plan. Samsung Life, which holds an 8.51%

According to South Korean securities analysts, Samsung Electronics shares dropped to 269,500 won on August 21 following disappointment with the company's shareholder return announcement. Samsung's board approved a total shareholder return of 90-110 trillion won for 2026, approximately five times the

According to SK Securities analyst Min-sik Na on August 24, Hyosung Heavy Industries (298040) is expanding its U.S. customer base beyond utilities to include AI data center-related clients. The brokerage maintained its buy rating and 4 million won target price, citing growth potential in U.S.

According to Daol Investment Securities, on August 24, Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire Insurance had their target prices raised to reflect dividend income from Samsung Electronics' expanded shareholder returns. Samsung Life's target price was raised from 400,000 won to 450,000 won, while Sam

According to SK Securities, on August 24, LS Electric received a top-pick rating in the power equipment sector with a target price of 310,000 won, implying 65.8% upside from August 21's close of 187,000 won. The brokerage maintained a buy recommendation, citing the company's three-pronged

The KOSPI's potential for additional gains hinges on interest rate movements, according to analysis from South Korea's financial investment industry on the 24th. US 30-year Treasury yields exceeding 5% have created valuation pressure on Korean equities, with the domestic market showing heightened

According to overseas brokers, the dollar-won 1-month NDF in New York fell to 1,385.80 KRW (mid-price) on August 21 (UTC), down 0.55 KRW from Seoul's spot market close of 1,386.50 KRW after adjusting for swap points. Bid-ask spreads were 1,385.60-1,386.00 KRW. The decline reflected ongoing

According to Barron's, DZ Bank analyst Markus Leistner initiated coverage of SpaceX on Friday, August 21, with a sell rating and target price of $100 per share. The target implies approximately 25% downside from SpaceX's closing price of $136.97 on

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to deliver his inaugural keynote at the 2026 Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium on August 28 at 10 a.m. ET, drawing intense scrutiny from bond traders. The speech comes as inflation has remained above the Fed's 2% target for more than five years

The US gross national debt crossed $40 trillion for the first time on August 18, reaching approximately $40.047 trillion according to Treasury data. The milestone arrived just five months after the debt crossed $39 trillion in March 2026, meaning the government borrowed roughly another trillion

The Japanese government decided the 2026 Basic Policy for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform on July 21, presenting 'responsible proactive fiscal policy' as the core policy stance under the Takaichi Sanae administration. The government maintained its position of respecting the Bank of Japan's

Fed Chair Kevin Wash will deliver his first Jackson Hole speech on May 28 at the annual symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, according to the Financial Times. The speech comes as US national debt exceeded $40 trillion this week and long-term Treasury rates reached their