Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

The Korean government announced on the 21st a policy to transfer a significant portion of surplus tax revenue, driven by the semiconductor boom, into a newly established Future Response Fund. The decision stems from rapidly increasing tax collections that exceed historical trends. This policy

According to Sumitomo Mitsui Securities economists, the Bank of Japan is expected to raise the policy rate from 1% to 1.25% at its September meeting, with an 84% probability shown in overnight index swaps. The economists forecast additional rate increases in January and June 2027, bringing the polic

According to South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance on August 21, the government announced plans to redirect a significant portion of surging tax revenue—driven by strong semiconductor demand—into the Future Response Fund. The fund will invest in four priority areas: youth development,

Samsung Electronics is expected to announce a shareholder return plan worth 100 trillion to 150 trillion won this month, according to securities industry sources on the 21st. If realized, this would be the largest shareholder return in the history of Korean listed companies. The anticipation

According to Herald Economy, Samsung Electronics is expected to announce a shareholder return plan worth 100-150 trillion won this month, which would be the largest ever by a South Korean listed company. The move follows SK Hynix's announcement of a 40 trillion won buyback program. Analysts expect t

US Stock Market News: On Thursday, the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average all closed lower. The decline followed what the source described as Bessent's one-day intervention, higher oil prices, Walmart's Q2 earnings miss, and pressure from rising Treasury yields.

According to Huafu Securities, Guan Tao has been appointed Chief Economist of the firm on August 21. Guan previously served as International Balance of Payments Division Director and spokesperson at China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and as Global Chief Economist at China Bank Interna

According to Financial News, Samsung Display today received an allocation of 67 trillion won out of Samsung's total 140 trillion won Chungcheong region investment plan announced last month. The company approved A7 factory construction resumption on August 7, with groundbreaking beginning this month

India's composite purchasing managers' index rose to 54.6 in August, surpassing the forecast of 54.4 and edging up from the previous month's 54.3, indicating sustained economic activity in Asia's third-largest

India's services sector purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 54.5 in August, beating the forecast of 53.8 and up from 53.3 in the previous month.

India's August manufacturing PMI came in at 52.9, falling short of the forecast of 54 and declining from 53.5 in the previous month.

According to Korean Exchange, Kakao submitted a preliminary review application for a spin-off re-listing on the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index) on August 21. The company plans to split its AI and advertising business into a separate entity through a demerger, while the continuing entity

South Korea's KOSPI index fell approximately 30% over two months from its June 19 peak, triggering large-scale losses among retail investors who had used leverage and invested in leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to Reuters on the 21st. The decline coincided with an artificial

According to reports, Kakao announced on August 21 a spin-off into two entities: Kakao AI (new legal entity) focusing on KakaoTalk and AI services, and Kakao X (continuing entity) handling other business divisions. The stock fell 13% intraday, marking its largest decline since the US-Iran conflict o

According to Reuters, South Korea's KOSPI index fell approximately 30 percent from its June 19 peak, with retail investors' losses on leveraged exchange-traded funds estimated at $53.9 billion by Citi. Margin loan balances reached a record high of 29.8 trillion Korean won on June 24, up 75 percent s

According to Korea Exchange, KOSPI reversed early losses to rise 0.4% as of 1:21 PM on August 21, with semiconductor giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix along with financial stocks driving the index higher. KOSDAQ, meanwhile, plunged over 4% amid concurrent selling pressure from foreign an

According to Goldman Sachs, over the past 48 hours AI and momentum trades experienced sharp swings, with the GSPUMOMO momentum basket down nearly 7%. However, Goldman Sachs Prime data shows positioning remained subdued: momentum exposure was near neutral, with leverage levels not rising

Japan's Ministry of Finance and Financial Services Agency are considering tax incentives for individual investors purchasing Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs), with plans to include the measures in the 2027 fiscal year tax reform, Nikkei Asia reported on the 21st. The incentives aim to encourage inve

According to Nikkei Asia, on August 21, Japan's Finance Ministry and Financial Services Agency are reviewing tax incentives for individual investors purchasing Japanese government bonds (JGB), with plans to include the measures in the fiscal 2027 tax reform proposal. The initiative aims to support t

According to KBS documentary Insight aired on August 20, South Korean broadcaster and investor Jeon Won-ju disclosed he continues to hold SK Hynix shares acquired at significantly lower prices and intends to wait for further gains. SK Hynix traded around 1.7 million Korean won per share on August 21