Hits Record

• The KOSPI experienced record-breaking volatility in the first half of 2025, with volatility interruption triggers reaching an all-time high of 29,357. • Market instability led to a 20-fold surge in stocks designated as "investment-risk," with the total number of such designations climbing to 43. • These unprecedented market swings highlight a period of extreme instability for South Korean equities and increased risk for individual investors.

• Global startup funding reached a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with AI companies capturing 70% of the total investment. • Major deals included OpenAI finalizing a $110 billion round in May 2026 at a $730 billion valuation, while Anthropic approached a $50 billion valuation. • This massive capital concentration suggests that frontier AI development now requires scales of funding that exceed the annual R&D budgets of most nations.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged approximately 595 points to reach a new record high following a soft June jobs report. • In contrast, the Nasdaq declined as investors continued a deepening selloff in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks. • The divergent market reaction highlights a split in investor sentiment between traditional industrial stability and high-growth tech volatility.

• EU-US goods trade reached a record €875 billion ($1.00 trillion) last year, with EU exports rising 7.7% to €580 billion and US exports increasing 2.2% to €295 billion. • This growth resulted in a significant EU goods trade surplus of nearly €285 billion, though the German Economic Institute (IW) warns these figures mask underlying economic strain. • The surge was partly driven by "front-loading" shipments to avoid tariff increases that took effect in April, creating a misleading impression of trade strength.

• European Union trade with the United States has reached a record high, according to a recent study, despite ongoing tensions regarding tariffs. • While overall trade grew, most EU member states saw a decline in goods exports to the U.S., highlighting an uneven distribution of growth. • Notable exceptions include Ireland and four other nations that reported export increases: Finland (+10.8%), Denmark (+10.6%), Italy (+7.2%), and the Czech Republic (+5.1%).

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a new record high on Thursday, though overall market indexes remained mixed due to a slump in AI-related computer chip stocks. • Market sentiment was influenced by a U.S. employment report showing 57,000 jobs added last month, falling short of the 100,000 positions economists had anticipated. • This hiring slowdown from May suggests a cooling labor market, which can impact broader economic growth and investor expectations regarding interest rates.

• Asian stock markets rallied following a record-breaking performance by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, driven by a rebound in select AI-related shares. • Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 1.7% to 23,444.45 and the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.7% to 4,056.81, though Taiwan's Taiex fell 0.6%. • The movement highlights the continued volatility and influence of the artificial intelligence sector on global market sentiment.