Yet

• The Kospi index surged over 100% in the first half of the year, breaching the 8,000-point mark for the first time despite a record $96.7 billion sell-off by foreign investors. • Retail investors are increasingly shifting toward overseas leveraged ETFs, with net purchases reaching $1.28 billion in June, more than triple the previous month's volume. • While investors moved away from Hong Kong-listed 2x leveraged ETFs for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix after May, the Kospi 3x leveraged ETF (KORU) saw a resurgence in June.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged nearly 600 points (1.1%) to reach a new record high of 52,900 during a volatile trading session in 2026. • In a stark contrast, the Nasdaq-100 fell by almost 500 points (1.6%), while the S&P 500 remained virtually unchanged. • This divergence highlights a significant shift in market momentum, where gains in traditional value industries offset heavy losses in the technology sector.

• The Supreme Court concluded a term characterized by critics as a significant blow to judicial legitimacy, moving beyond mere credibility issues. • Key rulings accelerated the Trump administration's agenda, including decisions in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo regarding racial profiling and Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened the Voting Rights Act. • The Court limited LGBTQ+ rights through rulings in Shilling v. United States, Trump v. Orr, and U.S. v. Skrmetti, restricting military service, passport options, and gender-affirming care.

• The KOSPI index fell 6.349% on Thursday, dropping below the 8,000 mark and triggering a sell-side sidecar trading halt at the market open. • The decline was primarily driven by losses in semiconductor stocks following a significant overnight selloff in the U.S. tech sector. • This event highlights record-breaking volatility for the Korean market in 2026, with the Korea Exchange pausing trading dozens of times throughout the year.

• Oil prices have experienced their steepest quarterly decline since 2020, with Brent crude trading at $73.17 and West Texas Intermediate at $69.71 per barrel. • Analysts from ING, including Patterson, warn that current market trends suggest traders are incorrectly pricing zero geopolitical risk into oil benchmarks. • This optimism persists despite fragile diplomacy and subdued tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that regional tensions remain elevated.

• Public health experts warn that the U.S. has effectively lost its measles elimination status, as only 6% of 2026 cases are now linked to travel compared to a historical average of 40%. • In other health news, the FDA approved bulevirtide on May 22, 2026, marking the first-ever approved treatment for Hepatitis Delta. • On June 17, the federal government announced $223.1 million in new funding for CCBHC community mental health clinics to improve care access and reduce emergency room visits.

• AI-related stocks experienced a significant slump this week, leading investors to question whether the artificial intelligence market bubble is beginning to burst. • Despite the volatility, analysts suggest these market moves may not yet signal the end of the broader AI boom. • The downturn has fundamental implications for U.S. retirement accounts, which remain heavily tied to the financial performance of major players like SpaceX.