Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

According to Bloomberg, Alibaba has agreed to sell its gaming subsidiary Lingyao Interactive Entertainment to Asia-focused private equity firm Trustar Capital for at least $1.5 billion this month. The move is part of Alibaba's strategic shift to accelerate AI and cloud computing initiatives, with th

According to SEC filings, Brevan Howard Capital Management reduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) position from 24.3 million shares to 7.21 million shares in Q2, a reduction of approximately 70.4%, with an ending value of about $240 million. Over the same period, Graham Capital Management cut its

In July 2026, China's gasoline exports fell to 420,000 tons, down 55.3% year-over-year. For the January-July period, cumulative gasoline exports reached 1.72 million tons, declining 64.4% compared to the same period last year.

China's corn and cornmeal imports reached 350,000 tons in July, surging 527.3% year-over-year, according to trade data. For the first seven months of 2026, cumulative corn imports totaled 1.36 million tons, up 61.3% compared to the same period last year. Other agricultural imports in July showed mi

According to Jin10, Shanghai gold traded at 953.79 yuan per gram in the morning session on Tuesday, August 18, slightly below the international gold price of 953.9 yuan per gram, a difference of 0.11 yuan per gram.

China's rare earth and rare earth products exports totaled 10,314 tonnes in July, down 16.9% year-over-year. For the first seven months of 2026, cumulative exports reached 76,861 tonnes, up 7% compared to the same period last year.

China's alumina exports surged 33% year-on-year in July, reaching 300,000 tons, with cumulative exports for January through July totaling 1.91 million tons, up 21.7% year-on-year. Meanwhile, imports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum materials fell 22% to 280,000 tons in July, and steel imports

According to Morgan Stanley, Nvidia will likely deliver better-than-expected Q2 results on August 26 with revenue of $91.1 billion and earnings per share of $2.07, along with raised guidance for Q3. However, the bank cautions that such earnings beats—once a powerful stock catalyst—may no longer be s

Korea Exchange and securities brokerages earned approximately 117.26 billion won in fees from single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix during the period from May 27 to the end of last month. The fee income resulted from high trading volumes in 16 leveraged pr

On August 18, US and Brent crude oil prices rose on the day following reports that a vessel was struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Hormuz Strait. The strike damaged the ship's engine room and resulted in crew injuries, according to reports. The specific oil price movements and c

According to data from South Korea's Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seong-hoon's office, single-stock leverage and inverse ETFs for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix generated approximately 117.26 billion KRW in exchange and brokerage fees between May 27 and the end of July. The Korea Exchange

According to BTIG strategist Jonathan Krinsky, the period from August 18 to October 11 historically marks the most treacherous trading window for U.S. stocks in midterm election years. BTIG data shows that in seven of the last eight midterm cycles (1990, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), the

KB Securities director Lee Eun-taek stated at a Korea Exchange conference on the 18th that the AI industry bubble has not yet reached collapse stage, as interest rates remain insufficient to halt hyperscaler capital investment. Lee identified irreversible interest rate increases as the primary

According to Yonhapinfomax, Korea Investment & Securities Chairman Kim Nam-gu received the highest compensation among securities industry executives in the first half of 2026, excluding one-time severance payments. Kim earned a combined 5.4

According to KB Securities executive Lee Eun-taek, speaking at a forum held by the Korea Exchange on Aug. 18, the current AI market bubble is not yet at a breaking point. He identified a key trigger for potential collapse: irreversible interest rate increases, specifically when the U.S. 10-year

Japanese government bond yields reached multi-decade highs, with the 10-year maturity trading at 2.9494%, up 2.38 basis points from the previous session. This marks the highest level since September 1996, according to data from Yonhap Infomax. The yield extended its upward trajectory for a sixth

EyePoint Inc. (EYPT), Stellantis N.V. (STLA), and Enovix Corp. (ENVX) US stocks fell to 52-week or record lows on Monday. EyePoint dropped nearly 67% after its Phase 3 LUGANO trial for wet age-related macular degeneration failed to meet its primary non-inferiority goal. Stellantis declined 4%

According to market data, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains slow, with only six ships transiting on Monday.

According to Yonhapinfomax, Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose to 2.9494% on August 18, marking its highest level in 30 years since September 1996. The yield gained 2.38 basis points from the previous trading day and extended its rally to six consecutive trading sessions. Other segments

On Monday, three stocks tumbled to 52-week or multi-year lows amid investor reaction to significant company-specific events. EyePoint Inc. (EYPT) plunged 67% to $3.95 after its Phase 3 LUGANO trial of DURAVYU in wet age-related macular degeneration failed to meet its primary non-inferiority