Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

South Korea's KOSPI index fell to 6,690 in a single session, down roughly 5% from its previous close above the 7,000 level, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Foreign investors, after buying for four consecutive trading days, sold over 3 trillion Korean won in

Eurozone manufacturing PMI came in at 52 for July, exceeding analyst expectations of 51.5 and the previous month's reading of 51.4.

Eurozone services sector PMI came in at 51.6 in July, beating expectations of 49.8 and rising from 49.4 in the previous month.

According to Odaily, multiple investment banks recently cut their price targets for Alphabet, while only Barclays and Bank of Montreal raised their outlooks. New Street Research cut Alphabet's target price

According to ING analysts, Brent crude is expected to post over 12% gains this week despite intraday weakness. The benchmark crude fell 1.3% to $99.39 per barrel on July 24, while WTI crude dropped 1.4% to $90.89 per barrel. Red Sea shipping risks have fueled concerns over further supply

According to Hana Financial Group, the company announced a new value-up plan on July 24, setting a 50% shareholder return ratio target for 2026 and raising its return on equity (ROE) target from 10% to 12%. The company plans to increase annual cash dividends by at least 10% until reaching a 40%

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix stocks plunged on July 24, with Samsung falling 7.59% to 249,500 won and SK Hynix dropping 8.34% to 1,759,000 won. Foreign investors led the sell-off, offloading a combined 2.6 trillion won worth of shares in the two semiconductor giants. The decline followed

According to Newsis, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plunged on July 24, with Samsung falling 7.59% to close at 249,500 won and SK Hynix dropping 8.34% to 1.759 million won. Foreign investors led the selling pressure, with net outflows of 873.1 billion won

According to a survey by Jinghaksa Catch on July 24, four out of 10 Z-generation job seekers in South Korea hold semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Among 1,472 surveyed, more than 75% showed interest in semiconductor stocks regardless of whether they actively invested, in

According to sources, JPMorgan Chase has transferred more than 30 quantitative analysts from mainland China to Singapore and Hong Kong in recent months to consolidate regional operations and align with business units. Approximately 25 to 30 employees were relocated from Beijing and Shanghai to Singa

Bitcoin maintained the $65,000 level on the 24th despite a sharp decline in US artificial intelligence-related stocks. According to global crypto market platform CoinGecko, Bitcoin traded at $65,393 as of 4 PM on the 24th, while crypto media outlet CoinDesk reported Bitcoin held around $65,000

Duksan Nepcores filed a securities report with the Financial Services Commission on the 24th, launching its initial public offering as the first company approved under South Korea's reformed dual-listing exception guidelines. The defense technology firm plans to offer 3 million new shares at a

According to Kia's Q2 earnings released July 24, both Hyundai and Kia reported operating profits that fell short of market expectations. Kia's Q2 operating profit stood at 2.63 trillion won, down 6.9% versus market consensus, while Hyundai's profit of 2.85 trillion won missed expectations by 7.9%.

Japan's National Diet approved on July 15 the reclassification of bitcoin and roughly 105 other crypto assets from the Payment Services Act into the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, removing a central legal obstacle to listing a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund on the

Sri Lanka's international sovereign bonds fell 1 cent following former U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariff measures. Pakistan and Indonesia bonds also came under pressure as a result.

Woori Investment & Securities reported net profit of 24.7 billion won in the first half of this year, up 47.1% year-over-year, the company disclosed on the 24th. Operating profit reached 29.4 billion won, surging 93.3% from the same period last year. The securities firm attributed the improved

Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest level in approximately two and a half months on July 23 (local time), with only one vessel exiting and zero entering, according to ship tracking firm Kpler cited by Nikkei Asia. The single departing tanker was the VLCC 'New Giant,'

According to Herald Economy, on July 24, global private equity firm Entrada was named the preferred negotiation partner (preferred bidder) for TaylorMade Golf's acquisition by current owner Centroid Investment. The estimated acquisition price ranges from 3 trillion to just under 4 trillion Korean

According to Woori Investment & Securities, the company posted net profit of 24.7 billion Korean won in H1 2026, up 47.1% year-over-year. Operating profit surged 93.3% to 29.4 billion won, while net business revenue increased 58.7% to 146.2 billion won. Non-interest income doubled to 83.9 billion wo

According to ship tracking company Kpler, only 1 tanker passed through the Hormuz Strait on July 23, marking the lowest level since May 7 and the first time no new vessels entered the waterway. The slowdown comes as Middle East transit risks persist and crude oil prices break above $100 per