Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Goldman Sachs reported this week that US options trading volume stands approximately 10% above the 50-day moving average, with calls representing over 58% of all listed contracts. The firm's proprietary panic index, which measures downside protection demand, has fallen to its lowest level since

SK Hynix is expected to announce a 100 trillion won shareholder return plan by the end of August, according to financial reporters on the 26th. The announcement was originally scheduled for the end of September but has been moved up by one month. The company set its quarterly dividend at 375 won — 1

At a KeyBanc investor conference, Micron Technology CEO Sumit Sadana said the company now has customer visibility extending beyond 2030, coupled with deep engineering engagements on product roadmaps. Sadana noted Micron's long-term visibility into customer demand exceeds that of most semiconductor i

Oil prices surged over 5% overnight as the US strategic petroleum reserve fell below 300 million barrels, its lowest level since 1983. Iran demanded six conditions for reopening the Hormuz Strait—including lifting maritime blockades, removing sanctions, and providing damage compensation—bringing

Watt (stock code 396470) reported second-quarter earnings on August 7, 2026, with revenue reaching 7.7 billion KRW, a 241% increase year-over-year, and operating profit of 2.1 billion KRW, turning from a 30 million KRW loss in

According to Jin10 on August 11, Deutsche Bank economists predict U.S. July gasoline prices will fall approximately 2%, with both headline and core CPI year-over-year growth declining by about 0.1%. Headline CPI is forecast to drop from 3.53% to 3.45%, while core CPI is expected to fall from 2.59% t

Elon Musk is reportedly examining Free Electron Laser (FEL) technology as an alternative to ASML's EUV lithography light source. The approach offers theoretical advantages over current Laser-Produced Plasma (LPP) systems, including higher power output, superior coherence, wavelength adjustability, a

According to Smartkarma Financial, Chengda Group (01568) released interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, on August 11. The group reported revenue of HKD 2.766 billion, up 21.2% year-over-year, with profit attributable to shareholders of HKD 151 million, up 11.7% year-over-year.

According to reports, South Korean equipment maker Watt (396470) posted Q2 2026 earnings on August 7, with revenue reaching 7.7 billion won, a 241% year-over-year increase. Operating profit swung to 2.1 billion won from a 30 million won loss in the same quarter last year, while net profit climbed to

According to Jin10, on August 10, KOSDAQ surged 4.74% to 836.69 while KOSPI rose 1.00% to 6,321.55 at the mid-morning session. The broader market's outperformance was driven by foreign and institutional investors buying KOSDAQ growth stocks, despite foreign investors continuing to net sell KOSPI

According to analyst Ryan Detrick, the S&P 500 gained more than 5% in May 2026. Historical data shows that in years when the index achieved such gains in May, returns in the subsequent 12 months have never been

According to a Twitter user report, Iran hit another oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz right before oil futures resumed trading. The incident comes as traders express optimism about a potential full reopening of the strategic

According to KobeissiLetter, SpaceX stock ($SPCX) has risen above its initial public offering price, gaining 30% over the past 3 days.

According to Yonhapnews, Korean retail investors returned to net buying of foreign stocks in June after the second quarter saw net selling for the first time in 10 quarters. The shift reflects changing investment sentiment among domestic individual investors toward overseas equities during the first

According to Samsung Electronics' recent conference call, the company will operate 60 to 70 percent of total production capacity under long-term supply contracts that have been extended from one-year to five-year periods. This marks a shift in the memory semiconductor industry from annual price

According to Meritz Securities data, Samsung Electronics' HBM4 memory yield improved to 80% from below 60% in February, signaling tightening supply. The firm's analysis of Taiwan-listed chipmakers' July revenues showed accelerating growth across major DRAM suppliers, while data from Adatum

During its latest earnings call, Saudi Aramco's CEO stated the company suffered no material damage from Houthis attacks, according to the official statement.

According to Michael Saylor on a recent podcast, MicroStrategy raised approximately $15 billion through preferred stock (STRK) designed with ChatGPT assistance. The company utilized the hybrid debt-equity product to fund Bitcoin acquisitions after exhausting conventional financing channels. The pref

Strategy sold 1,690 BTC between August 3 and August 9, generating approximately $108.6 million at an average price of about $64,262 per Bitcoin, according to the company's latest 8-K filing. The proceeds funded a repurchase of 1,152,020 STRC shares. As of August 9, Strategy continues to

The S&P 500 has posted 26 new all-time highs in 2026 so far, part of a broader rally that has generated over 220 new highs throughout the 2020s.