Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

According to the Korea Development Institute, South Korea's exports surged to $102.25 billion in June, marking a 70.9% year-on-year increase and hitting the $100 billion milestone for the first time. Semiconductor exports reached $44.82 billion, nearly tripling and exceeding $40 billion in monthly e

According to Guru Club, multiple domestic futures rose on July 8. Pure benzene, fuel oil, low-sulfur fuel oil (LU), styrene (EB), and SC crude oil surged over 5%, while methanol climbed nearly 5%, and propylene and polypropylene gained over 4%. Stainless steel (SS) fell nearly 2%, while Shanghai

According to data from the Japan Petroleum Association (PAJ) released on July 8, Japan's commercial crude oil inventory for the week ended July 4 reached 10,600,957 kiloliters, up 335,974 kiloliters from the prior week's 10,264,983 kiloliters. The refinery operating capacity (BPSD) utilization

US stock index futures rebounded during Asian trading on the morning of July 8 despite Middle East tensions. E-mini S&P500 futures rose 0.13% to 7,561.25 as of 10:18 AM Korean time, while E-mini Nasdaq100 futures gained 0.50% to 29,537.00. The recovery followed a US session where the S&P500

According to Yonhapinfomax, U.S. stock index futures rebounded on July 8 morning (Korean time) despite escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions. The S&P 500 E-mini futures rose 0.13% to 7,561.25, while Nasdaq-100 E-mini futures gained 0.50% to 29,537.00 as of 10:18 a.m. KST. Geopolitical tensio

On Tuesday, the Nasdaq 100 fell 1.8% as treasury yields spiked following Iran's attack on a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher. The S&P 500 ended 0.5% lower, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped nearly 5%. Brent crude futures

According to Gate data, crude oil futures main contracts rose collectively today. SC crude rose 5.08% to 461.7 yuan per barrel, while low-sulfur fuel oil (LU) gained 5.59% to 3,983 yuan per tonne. Fuel oil also climbed 5.44% to 3,083 yuan per tonne. Asphalt losses narrowed to a decline of 1.04%, tra

According to BlockBeats, on July 8, the U.S. cancelled Iran's oil sales exemption and expanded military strikes, driving crude prices up approximately 5% as markets repriced energy supply uncertainty. U.S. military elevated shipping threat levels in the Strait of Hormuz to "critical," intensifying r

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a civil lawsuit on July 8 against North Carolina trader Trevor Vernon and his company Argent Capital Management LLC; the CFTC alleges the two defrauded approximately 60 investors of over $14 million through a commodity pool, losing at least $8.6 million on futures, options, and crypto asset trades. Trevor Vernon’s Fraud Methods: Fake Monthly Reports, Ponzi Structure Operating for Nearly Four Years According to the CFTC’s complaint, Verno

According to the Korea Development Institute (KDI), South Korea's economy maintained a gradual improvement trend in July, driven by robust semiconductor exports and service sector growth despite a slowdown in overall manufacturing production. The KDI, a state-run research institute, reported that ex

According to sources cited by media, Japan's aluminum premium for July to September delivery was set at $395 per ton on July 8, representing a 12%-13% increase compared to the previous quarter.

According to Jin10, workers at BHP's Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia voted on July 8 to stage an eight-hour strike on July 16. The stoppage is expected to disrupt A$120 million (approximately US$83.16 million) in daily iron ore shipments. The strike follows six months of

According to Yonhap News Agency, Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 834.96 points (-1.22%) to 67,422 as of 9:15 AM JST on July 8, driven by escalating US-Iran military tensions and weakness in US semiconductor stocks. The TOPIX index declined 40.91 points (-1.01%) to 4,021.35. Rising geopolitical

According to Shanghai Steelhome data, MMLC battery-grade lithium carbonate (early session) was quoted at 163,450 yuan/ton on July 8, down 250 yuan/ton from the previous day's 16:30 closing price.

According to New Zealand's Reserve Bank, domestic economic growth is expected to recover in the third quarter of 2026. The central bank cited lower fuel prices as a key factor supporting consumer spending

South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Al Jaber on the 8th. Al Jaber also serves as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The two officials signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a st

South Korea's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources and the UAE's ADNOC signed a strategic cooperation agreement on July 8, establishing a stable crude oil security framework, according to Yonhap Infomax. The pact includes provisions for stable oil supply, emergency response measures, and

According to the International Energy Agency, global natural gas consumption is expected to decline 0.5% this year, equivalent to 20 billion cubic meters, due to Middle East tensions reducing supply and elevated prices dampening demand. The IEA cited a significant drop in liquefied natural gas

According to three people familiar with the matter, Geneva-based commodity trader Vitol is preparing to establish an office in Venezuela, reported by Jin10 on July 8. The move signals confidence in the continuation of the U.S.-Venezuela oil agreement reached earlier this year. The planned Caracas of

Crude oil futures contracts surged today on July 8. SC crude oil rose 4.44% to 458.9 yuan per barrel, while low-sulfur fuel oil (LU) gained 5.25% to 3,970 yuan per ton. Fuel oil climbed 4.82% to 3,065 yuan per ton. Asphalt was the sole decliner with losses narrowing to 1.30% at 3,795 yuan per ton.