Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

According to SemiAnalysis on August 23, 3D NAND memory production is shifting from tungsten (W) to molybdenum (Mo) as stack heights surpass 300 layers, driven by physical and manufacturing constraints of traditional tungsten word lines. SK Hynix currently leads

According to the State News Agency of Oman, the country's public revenues increased 13% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, reaching 2.66 billion Omani rial, driven primarily by higher oil revenues. Public expenditure grew 9% over the same period, totaling 2.66 billion rial.

According to Oman News Agency, the sultanate's net oil revenues in the second quarter increased 10% year-over-year, reaching 3.3 billion OMR.

Forty tankers successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night, but diesel supply concerns have emerged as a pressing issue overshadowing the transit success. The successful passage occurred amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, which have been exacerbated by recent co

On Friday night, 40 tankers successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, market sentiment reflects deep uncertainty about regional stability, with the probability of returning to normal traffic by September 30 currently priced at 5.5% YES—a sharp decline f

According to Iraq's President Amidie on August 22, some oil tankers carrying Iraqi crude have been permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement came following Amidie's communications with visiting Iranian Parliament Speaker Kalibaev, during which Iraq conveyed a message regarding re

According to Investing.com, the U.S. Treasury's bond buyback measures to curb rising long-term Treasury yields prompted a weaker dollar on August 23, while gold and bitcoin rallied in tandem. The short-term dollar weakness accelerated capital inflows into alternative assets, with gold and bitcoin em

According to a draft letter seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), six EU member states are pushing for a windfall tax on oil companies across the European Union on August 23. Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland, Portugal, and Spain have called for the measure to be included on the agenda of next month's E

Yuanta Securities researcher Kang Song-chul recommended investors allocate part of their assets to copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as electricity demand drives copper consumption higher. London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices have risen 16% since the start of the year to above $14,000 per

According to Yujin Investment Securities analyst Gang Song-chul, London Metal Exchange copper prices have risen 16% since the beginning of 2026 and surpassed $14,000 per ton recently, hitting historic highs adjusted for inflation. Gang attributed the surge to increased electricity demand driven by A

According to Financial Times and Kpler data, India's imports of Russian crude oil reached historic highs in June and July, with daily purchases exceeding 2.6 million barrels—more than 50% of the country's total crude imports. This marks a sharp increase from February's low of 1 million barrels per d

According to London Metal Exchange data, three-month copper futures prices reached $14,215.50 per ton on August 21, climbing 3.08% this month and approaching January's record high of $14,527.50 per ton. The surge stems from structural supply-demand imbalances driven by rapidly growing copper

According to Jin10, on August 22, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will implement retaliatory tariffs equivalent to U.S. duties on $20 billion in Canadian goods, effective September 8. The move comes in response to the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on the same value of Canadi

According to MarketWatch, U.S. long-term Treasury yields climbed to fresh highs on Thursday, with the 10-year yield rising to 4.69% and the 30-year yield breaking above 5%, despite the Treasury Department's announcement of expanded debt buyback operations earlier in the week. Brent crude oil

According to Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, the country exported 70 million barrels of oil over the past one to two months.

According to Korea Investment Securities analyst Choi Go-un, South Korean airlines' Q2 2026 earnings outperformed expectations despite the U.S.-Iran conflict driving crude oil prices higher. Combined industry fuel costs rose 1.6 trillion won year-over-year, yet operating profit declined only 600

Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) reached $14,215.50 per ton for 3-month futures on the 21st (local time), rising 3.08% this month and approaching the January peak of $14,527.50 per ton. The price surge stems from supply disruption concerns in major producing regions coinciding with a

According to the Korea Exchange, copper futures prices on the London Metal Exchange reached $14,215.50 per ton on August 21, gaining 3.08% this month and approaching the year's peak of $14,527.50. Rising demand from artificial intelligence data centers and power grid expansion is driving prices

According to Guru Club, Iraq requested on August 22 that Iran grant special passage permits for Iraqi oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The request was made during Iranian Parliament Speaker Kalibaev's visit to Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Zayidi, President Amidi, and

According to state media citing China National Petroleum Corporation, Horgos compressor station, the entry point of the West-to-East Gas Pipeline Projects II and III, reached a cumulative 600 billion cubic meters of natural gas output today (August 23). Operating as a key hub under the Belt and