Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

Korean construction investment fell 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2024, the only major GDP component to decline as exports and consumption drove 0.6% overall growth. The contraction stemmed from delayed government construction project execution and supply disruptions of some materials due to

Crude oil exchange-traded notes (ETNs) in the Korean market dominated this month's top-performing securities as Middle East tensions reignited and international oil prices surged. The Meritz Leverage WTI Crude Futures ETN (H) closed at 51,490 won as of the 24th, a 69% jump from 30,465 won at the

According to Korea Exchange, WTI crude oil exchange-traded notes (ETNs) surged to July highs on July 24, with Meritz Leverage WTI Crude Oil Futures ETN(H) climbing 69% since June 30. Shinhan Bloomberg Leverage WTI Crude Oil Futures ETN B gained 61.1%, while Samsung, Hanwha, and KB S&P variants

According to Iran's Oil Minister, on July 26, Iran sold 11.5 billion dollars of crude oil during the war period and 6.5 billion dollars during the ceasefire period, bringing total sales to 18.0 billion dollars. Despite facing military conflict and international sanctions, the country has achieved

Korean stocks experienced severe declines in July, with the KOSPI index falling 21.07% through July 24 and circuit breakers triggering for 10 consecutive trading days. The sell-off was driven by surging oil prices—Brent crude reached $100.69—and rising US Treasury yields above 4.70%, which

On Friday (July 24), the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) hit 101.49, rising 0.7% for the week—the best weekly performance since June 19. The dollar rally was driven by escalating Middle East tensions boosting safe-haven demand, alongside market expectations of potential Federal Reserve rate hikes to

Hyperliquid recorded $26 billion in real-world asset (RWA) trading during the week of July 13–19, marking the first time tokenized stocks and commodities surpassed crypto on the decentralized exchange. Lorenzo Valente, director of digital assets research at ARK Invest, announced the milestone on Jul

According to Yonhapnews, Wall Street's focus this week centers on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and major technology companies' second-quarter earnings as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate. Last week, major indices declined: Nasdaq Composite fell 2.13%, S&P 500

According to Korea Economic Daily, the KOSPI triggered circuit breaker mechanisms 10 consecutive trading days through July 24, with five sell-side and five buy-side halts alternating, causing extreme price swings. The index closed the week at 6,690.62 points, down 1.91% week-on-week. Volatility

South Korea's domestic fuel prices are showing signs of rebounding after a period of recent easing, driven by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East and a resulting surge in international oil prices. The price reversal follows disruptions to key global shipping

According to Yonhapnews, rising Middle East tensions are driving oil prices higher in late July 2026, fueling South Korean concerns over inflation in the second half of the year. If oil price gains continue, consumer prices could accelerate, potentially prompting faster interest rate increases.

According to U.S. Central Command, the Lavine oil tanker, flagged under Mozambique, was forced to stop its journey in the Gulf of Oman on July 24 after its crew repeatedly violated a blockade and ignored multiple warnings. The vessel is no longer bound for

According to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a halt to military airstrikes on Iran on July 24, marking the first pause in nearly two weeks of escalating military operations over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The two nations had engaged in 13 consecutive days of exchanges through July 2

According to Korea's Financial Investment Association, on July 24, unsecured corporate bond yields reached their highest levels in approximately 30 months. AA-rated 3-year bonds rose to 4.653%, up 4.2 basis points, marking the highest level since November 14, 2023. BBB-rated 3-year bonds climbed to

Stocks logged a second straight weekly loss, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.6% and the Nasdaq falling 2.1% as investors navigated escalating Middle East tensions, key tech earnings, and healthcare developments. Oil prices, AI spending scrutiny, mixed data center earnings, and pharmaceutical

According to CNBC, stocks fell this week as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East sent oil prices to their highest levels in months. The Nasdaq declined 2.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, marking the indices' second consecutive weekly losses. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped over 8%, while

According to Houthi military spokesman Brigadier Yahya Saree, Iran-backed Houthi forces attacked two Aramco energy facilities in Saudi Arabia's Jizan and Yanbu on July 25 in retaliation for Saudi air strikes. The spokesman said forces used 10 ballistic missiles and drones to target the Jizan facilit

According to Bloomberg, Indonesia's metal exports faced delays in July due to new inspections targeting rare earth and uranium elements. The customs checks affected shipments of alumina and ferronickel, disrupting supply chains for

According to TASS, Russia will extend its gasoline export ban through year-end (December 2026). The Russian government announced the prolongation of the restrictions on fuel exports.

According to Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, cattle exports to the United States will resume in late August at the Agua Prieta border crossing in Sonora, with subsequent expansion to two locations in Chihuahua. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins informed Sheinbaum of the decision in a l