Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

According to Yonhapinfomax, China has secured dominant control over critical raw materials essential to Korea's semiconductor and battery industries, intensifying supply chain competition. China accounts for approximately 97% of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, 70-80% of refined lithium and precursor ca

According to Jin10, Iranian officials announced plans on August 21 to target key petroleum export routes in the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia's Yanbu pipeline and the UAE's Fujairah port, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. The two facilities collectively process

London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices hit a record high of $14,850 per ton on the 17th, then declined for two consecutive days to around $14,180 as large-scale physical deliveries eased immediate supply tightness. Global commodity trader Trafigura and other firms delivered significant copper

Korean government bond futures declined in night trading on August 21 as the market reversed gains from the US Treasury's long-term buyback expansion. The 3-year bond futures fell 4 ticks to 103.18, while the 10-year futures dropped 29 ticks to 105.28, according to the Seoul Bond Market. The decline

According to KOMIS, copper spot prices on the London Metal Exchange reached a record high of $14,850 per ton on August 17, before retreating to $14,180/ton over the following two days as major commodity traders, including Trafigura, released substantial volumes. Available inventory increased

The Bank of Korea released its July 2026 producer price index on August 21, showing a 0.4% month-over-month decline driven by falling international crude oil prices. The index rose 7.7% compared to the same month last year. Industrial goods prices fell 0.5%, with petroleum products dropping 5.1%

According to the Bank of Korea's preliminary producer price index released on August 21, South Korea's producer prices declined 0.4% month-on-month in July 2026, while rising 7.7% year-on-year. Industrial goods prices fell 0.5%, with coal and petroleum products down 5.1% and chemical products decli

New Zealand's July exports fell to NZD 7.39 billion. The prior month's export figure was revised downward to NZD 7.83 billion from an initially reported NZD 8.09 billion.

The US dollar edged higher on the 20th at 4pm Eastern Time, driven by a rebound in US Treasury yields and rising international oil prices amid yen weakness. USD-JPY climbed 0.971 yen (0.614%) to 159.118 yen, reversing the previous session's decline as Brent crude surged 2.36% to $93.78 per barrel. T

The US dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen and other major currencies during the New York trading session. The dollar faced sustained upward pressure as US Treasury yields rebounded and international oil prices climbed, with the yen weakening back to the 159 yen per dollar range. Treasury S

According to Yonhapinfomax, the U.S. dollar strengthened on August 20 as rising oil prices and higher Treasury yields pushed the currency higher. The USD/JPY exchange rate climbed to 159.118, up 0.971 yen (0.614%) from the previous close of 158.147. The dollar index (DXY) rose to 98.884,

According to Bloomberg, a Glencore-led consortium with Texas oil executive Albert Huddleston as anchor investor is seeking to acquire at least 55% of fully diluted shares in Canadian nickel miner Sherritt International Corp. The consortium, which includes one of Sherritt's largest creditors, is

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on the 20th (US Eastern Time) that the United States will implement what he described as the largest coordinated economic isolation in world history targeting Iran, triggering a surge in international oil prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for S

According to Yonhapinfomax, crude oil prices surged over 2% on August 20 (U.S. Eastern time) after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to impose sweeping economic sanctions on Iran. September WTI crude rose 2.33% to $87.83 per barrel, while October Brent crude climbed 2.36% to $93.

On Thursday (Aug 20) New York close, spot gold rose 0.08% to $4,519.36 per ounce, forming a V-shaped pattern throughout the session. Spot silver climbed 1.16% to $68.0944 per ounce, while COMEX copper futures fell 0.17% to $6.5840 per

US stock indices fell on May 20 (local time), with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 1.32% to 52,759.21, the S&P 500 declining 0.87% to 7,641.16, and the Nasdaq falling 1.00% to 26,067.16. Treasury yields rose despite Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments on expanding bond buyback

On Thursday, Aug 20, U.S. equity and asset class ETFs declined broadly, with the Russell 2000 index ETF and Dow ETF leading losses at approximately 1.34% and 1.27% respectively. The S&P 500 ETF, U.S. 20+ year Treasury ETF, and Nasdaq 100 ETF each fell up to 0.84%. Conversely, emerging market ETF

According to Yonhapnews, international oil prices surged on August 20 as the U.S. reiterated its policy of intensified economic pressure on Iran. On the ICE Futures Exchange, October delivery Brent crude futures closed at $93.78 per barrel, up 2.36% from the previous session. September delivery

According to a Forbes analysis, an old video of U.S. Vice President JD Vance has revived debate over whether the dollar's role as the world's dominant reserve currency benefits the U.S. economy. Vance, then a senator, argued that global dollar

According to Citi analysts on August 21, the Permian Basin in West Texas faces intensifying power supply strain as oil and gas producers and technology companies both expand operations in the region. Diamondback Energy, one of the largest oil producers in the Permian, expects its electricity