Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

According to Jin10, crude oil prices declined in early trading after five consecutive days of gains, with market focus shifting to supply gaps and geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Securities firms collectively downgraded target prices for Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) amid rising cost burdens and prolonged Middle East conflict driving oil price increases. The downgrades reflect concerns over short-term headwinds including oil price volatility and uncertainty

According to Jin10 Futures, on August 13, multiple PX production restarts are accelerating, with capacity utilization rates expected to rise further. Easing geopolitical tensions and overnight weakness in crude oil prices are weighing on the market, with PX prices forecast to trade lower

According to Jin10 Futures, on August 13, China's coal tar market faced downward pressure as coal tar feedstock auction prices continued declining, supply remained abundant, and downstream buyers negotiated lower prices. The market is expected to remain weak in the near

According to Citic Securities, the U.S.-Iran-Israel conflict has persisted for over five months, and a potential Iran-Oman strait navigation agreement will not fully resolve shipping risks in the region. The brokerage noted that negotiations face structural obstacles: the agreement serves

According to Yonhap Infomax, USD/KRW 1-month NDF rose to 1,417.50 won on August 13, up 2.45 won from Seoul's spot rate the previous day after accounting for swap points. The bid was 1,417.30 won and the ask 1,417.70 won. The dollar strengthened following U.S. July core CPI data that matched

According to reports, Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soft red winter wheat futures closed sharply higher on Wednesday, with benchmark contracts up 3.6%, reflecting export disruptions in the Black Sea region due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The continued tensions between the two nations are

Korean pre-market trading surged on the back of overnight US semiconductor gains and increased Federal Reserve rate hold expectations. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the advance, with the pre-market index rising 2.76% from the previous session. The rally followed strong performances by major U

According to iM Securities, North American energy storage system (ESS) battery shipments reached 76GWh in the first half of 2026, surging 83% year-over-year. Global ESS battery shipments totaled 461GWh, up 71% year-over-year, signaling stronger-than-expected demand acceleration in the region. LG

SM Investments Corporation plans to transfer its roughly 34% stake in Atlas Mining to Dominion Holdings by 2027, according to statements made during the company's earnings briefing on Wednesday, August 12. SMIC president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio said the move aims to exit the mining sector while ke

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), U.S. gasoline and diesel prices both reached record highs for the season in mid-August, with gas averaging $4.00 per gallon and diesel at $5.40 per gallon. Year-over-year, gasoline prices have risen approximately 25% from $3.20 per gallon

The US dollar strengthened on August 12, with the Dollar Index (DXY) rising 0.187 points to close at 100 as of 4 PM Eastern Time, according to Yonhap Infomax. The currency initially weakened following the release of July Consumer Price Index (CPI) data that matched market expectations, but

The US dollar strengthened in New York trading on August 12 afternoon, with the dollar index rising 0.187% to 100 despite initial weakness following July consumer price index data that matched market forecasts. The dollar reversed course as Swiss franc weakness and rising oil prices amid Hormuz

According to Yonhapnews Infomax, the US Dollar Index strengthened to 100 on August 12 afternoon (ET), up 0.187% from the previous close. The dollar-yen rate rose to 159.501 yen, gaining 0.217 yen (0.136%), while the euro-dollar fell to 1.15225, declining 0.176%. The gains came despite initial

According to Yonhap Infomax, on August 12 at 4 p.m. ET, the U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies. The dollar-yen rate rose to 159.501 yen, up 0.136% from the previous close, while the dollar index (DXY) gained 0.187% to 100. The euro-dollar rate declined to 1.15225 dollars,

According to Yonhapinfomax, on August 12 (US Eastern time), the U.S. dollar strengthened amid uncertainty over Iran negotiations and rising oil prices. The dollar index (DXY) climbed 0.187% to 100, while the dollar-yen rate rose to 159.501 yen (+0.136%), and the euro-dollar rate fell to 1.15225 doll

According to Jin10, WTI crude oil broke below $82 per barrel on August 13 after five consecutive trading days of gains, with a cumulative increase of 11% over the period. Brent crude briefly dipped below $87. The International Energy Agency warned that the global oil market faces a 1.8 million barre

According to Iran's Strait of Hormuz Authority, the Hormuz Strait remains closed as of August 12. The Iranian body stated that U.S. claims of the strait's reopening do not change the facts, and the waterway will not reopen unless the United States accepts Iran's

According to Guru Club, China's major futures contracts closed higher overnight on August 13 at 2:30 a.m. Shanghai Gold futures rose 0.36% to 959 yuan per gram, Shanghai Silver futures climbed 0.63% to 16,024 yuan per kilogram, and SC Crude Oil futures gained 0.63% to 556 yuan per