Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to MSX.COM data, U.S. stocks closed higher on August 21 in semiconductor and optical communications sectors. SK Hynix rose 4%, Micron Technology gained 3%, and SanDisk climbed 2%. Applied Optoelectronics surged 5% while Lumentum advanced 6%. Meanwhile, Walmart plummeted 9.2%, marking its l

According to financial industry sources, on August 19, South Korea's five major banks' time deposit balances reached a record 1.0003 quadrillion won, with 15.09 trillion won flowing in over just three weeks. The rapid inflow reflects a shift in investor funds from volatile stock markets back to

Korea Exchange faces legal challenges from three listed companies over accelerated market capitalization delisting rules, with the first court hearing held on the 21st following submission of preparatory documents on the 18th and 19th. The companies argue the revised 500 billion won minimum market c

KOSPI opened down 1.35% at 6759.95, while KOSDAQ fell 2.00% to 824.05, as investor sentiment weakened following overnight declines in US markets. The drops were triggered by a surge in US 10-year Treasury yields above 4.70% and Walmart's 9% plunge on disappointing earnings. Foreign and

Korea Financial Group faces scrutiny over financing and dividend policy as it pursues KDB Life Insurance acquisition. The group was selected as preferred bidder for a 99.75% stake on the 13th. NH Investment Securities analyst Yoon Yu-dong noted the double leverage ratio stands at 123%, indicating

According to Herald Economics, on August 21, three listed companies filed interim injunctions against the Korea Exchange, challenging the market cap delisting threshold recently implemented by the exchange and financial authorities. The disputed standard centers on a market capitalization threshold

Mark Connors, Chief Investment Officer at Risk Dimensions, predicted on the 20th (local time) that Bitcoin could rally toward $180,000 if the US Treasury expands its long-term bond buyback program, according to CoinDesk. The forecast is based on the expectation that increased Treasury buybacks

Morgan Stanley upgraded Merck stocks from Equal-weight to Overweight on May 20 (US time), raising its price target from $116 to $179. Analyst Terence Flynn stated in a report that Merck's next-generation drug pipeline will fully offset the patent expiration cliff of its flagship cancer drug

According to NH Investment & Securities analyst Yoon Yu-dong, Korea Financial Group (KFG) pursues the acquisition of KDB Life Insurance on August 21, with a double leverage ratio of 123% requiring capital-raising alongside internal funds to finance the deal. The analyst flagged concerns over

According to CNBC, Morgan Stanley analyst Terrence Flynn upgraded Merck (MRK) on August 20, raising the investment rating from Equal-weight to Overweight and lifting the price target from $116 to $179. Despite near-term pressure from Keytruda's patent expiration next year, Flynn forecasted that Merc

Fahmi Quadir, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Safkhet Capital, known as 'The Assassin of Wall Street' for short-selling strategies, announced a shift to long activist investing in South Korea. Safkhet Capital is raising a minimum $300 million fund to target undervalued Korean stocks, with

Five active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in South Korea were delisted within a two-month period due to correlation coefficient violations, prompting asset management industry calls for regulatory reform. TIME US Dividend Dow Jones Active, managed by Timefolio Asset Management, was delisted on

According to Economist, as of late July, profitable companies were included among KOSDAQ-listed firms facing delisting designation under enhanced regulatory criteria, triggering industry concerns. Among 149 KOSDAQ firms with market capitalization below 2 billion won, 45 were profitable,

According to Sapphire Capital founder Pami Kadir in an interview with Yonhapnews on August 21, the hedge fund is raising a minimum of $300 million for long-term activist investments in South Korea. Kadir, known for short-selling campaigns that exposed accounting issues at companies like Wirecard

According to Korea Exchange, five active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were delisted in two months due to failing to meet correlation coefficient requirements with benchmark indices. On August 19, Time Portfolio Asset Management's TIME U.S. Dividend Dow Jones Active ETF was delisted; four Korea

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold ETF, increased its holdings by 4.28 tonnes on Aug 20, bringing total holdings to 1038.934 tonnes.

According to data released by Russia's Central Bank on August 1, the country's gold reserves fell by 1.6 million ounces to 73.2 million ounces since the start of 2026, marking the lowest level since January 2020. The holdings declined in value by $33.7 billion over the past seven

Yuanta Securities maintained a target price of 830,000 won for SK Inc. stocks and projected that shareholder returns will accelerate starting next year. The securities firm cited subsidiary earnings growth and brand royalty increases as drivers for improved cash flow at the holding company. Yuanta S

According to Jin10 Futures, on August 21, ethylene glycol prices maintained an uptrend as international crude oil continued to climb. Cost pressures from rising crude oil supported market sentiment, with spot prices in East China quoted in the 5,700–5,800 yuan per ton

According to Yuanta Securities on August 21, SK maintained a buy rating and 830,000 KRW price target, representing 46% upside from the previous close of 568,000 KRW. The company posted second-quarter operating profit of 4.84 trillion KRW, surpassing market consensus by 77%. Yuanta expects