Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to the Financial Supervisory Service, KB Securities recorded operating profit of 1.0245 trillion won in the first half of 2026 as of September 27, a 146% increase year-over-year and marking the first time the brokerage surpassed 1 trillion won in half-year operating profit—exceeding its

According to Korea Securities Depository, the country will introduce a securities-based settlement promotion payment system by the end of September to ease liquidity pressures on domestic and foreign institutions. Under the new system, government bonds will be eligible as collateral with a maximum r

According to a survey by Korean Economic Daily released today (Sept 27), fund managers at 12 domestic asset management firms have significantly lowered their Q4 KOSPI forecast to an average of 7,764, down 1,864 points from 9,628 in June. U.S. stocks have become the most favored asset class for Q4 re

According to Korea Securities Depository's Savero portal, Korean retail investors' U.S. stock holdings rebounded to $196.2 billion as of September 25, approaching the $200 billion mark. Holdings peaked at $204.1 billion in May before declining through June and July, then recovered from August

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his administration approved new fuel economy standards replacing Biden-era EV requirements, marking a major reset for the U.S. auto industry. According to Trump, the changes will give automakers more flexibility and reduce regulatory compliance costs, tra

According to KB Securities officials today, the company's Capital Markets Division is combining derivative sales and investment operations to strengthen hedge solutions for stock positions amid rising market volatility. The reorganized division now works with sales teams to assess client needs, then

According to Guru Club, Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index fell 4.2% to 5,688.574 points on June 4, marking its lowest level since December 2020.

According to the Korea Exchange and KOSCOM ETF Check, from Sept. 1–23, foreign investors were the largest net buyers of KODEX Leverage ETFs, purchasing 214.4 billion Korean won worth of KODEX Leverage—a product that tracks twice the daily returns of the KOSPI 200 index. Foreign investors also

According to Korean brokerages including Shinyang Securities and Hana Securities, since Sept. 14 when U.S. 10-year Treasury yields surged above 5%, Korean semiconductor stocks have shown resilience despite heavy foreign investor net selling exceeding 1 trillion won daily. Samsung Electronics and

Eleva Therapeutics, the US subsidiary of KOSDAQ-listed HLB, received FDA approval on May 23 (local time) for Ryfictu (lirafugratinib) as a second-line treatment for cholangiocarcinoma patients with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement. The approval represents the first instance of a Korean pharmaceutical c

Korea Exchange halved the review period for biotech initial public offerings (IPOs) this year compared to 2022. The average review time for biotech companies' technology-based listings dropped to 70 business days this year from 140 business days in 2022. The reduction resulted from Korea Exchange's

Five major banks in South Korea face record bank bond maturities of 27.1 trillion won in Q4 (October-December), according to Hanwha Investment & Securities — double the 10-year average of 11.8 trillion won and exceeding the previous Q4 2022 peak of 20.6 trillion won. The surge may create a

According to the Korean Exchange, biotech companies' average IPO review period has been halved to 70 business days this year, down from 140 business days in 2022. The exchange implemented an industry-specific review system in July 2024, establishing dedicated teams for biotech, ICT, and

According to Hanwha Investment Securities, South Korea's five major banks face a record 27.1 trillion won in maturing bank bonds during the fourth quarter of 2026, more than double the recent 10-year average of 11.8 trillion won and surpassing the previous peak of 20.6 trillion won in Q4

According to Hanwha Investment & Securities, South Korea's five major banks are set to refinance a record 27.1 trillion won in maturing bank bonds during the fourth quarter (October–December 2026), more than double the 10-year average of 11.8 trillion won and surpassing the previous high of 20.6 tri

According to Guru Club, Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index fell 1.2% to 5,076.81 points on June 4.

Securities analysts across Korean brokerages adjusted target prices for multiple sectors during the recent 3-month period from June 22 to September 22, as the KOSPI traded in a box range following a sharp correction in the second half of the year. K-beauty and oil refining sectors saw upward

Major Korean listed companies face diverging Q3 earnings forecasts as international oil prices and exchange rates fluctuate, according to financial data provider FnGuide analysis covering June 22 to September 22. Refining and aviation stocks saw earnings estimates surge due to soaring refining

Foreign and retail investors in South Korea took opposing ETF strategies from May 1–23, with foreign buyers concentrating on leveraged products while retail investors bet on market declines through inverse ETFs. Foreign investors net purchased 214.4 billion won of KODEX Leverage, which tracks

According to F&Guide data, K-beauty companies' stock target prices surged over the past three months (June 22–Sept 22) as export growth remained strong. Kolmar's target price jumped nearly 40% to 172,020 won, while