TradingKey

TradingKey - Global semiconductor equipment giant ASML will release its second-quarter 2026 financial results before the US market opens on July 15, 2026. As the world's only provider of Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, ASML's performance is not only critical to its own stock price trajectory but also serves as a vital bellwether for the intensity of global AI infrastructure investment.

• Lower US inflation data reduced Federal Reserve rate expectations, weakening the US Dollar. • Resilient Australian business conditions reinforce the Reserve Bank of Australia’s hawkish monetary stance. • Increased global risk appetite and rising commodity prices support the Australian Dollar’s appreciation.

ASML is testing the $1,700 level again ahead of its earnings report. If it fails to hold this position, the stock could face a further decline of more than 10%.

TradingKey - July 14, according to a report by the Financial Times, U.S. chip giant Nvidia (NVDA) has reduced the number of Asian customers authorized to purchase its artificial intelligence chips by more than half. This move is intended to establish a new customer "whitelist" system and strengthen compliance review mechanisms to prevent advanced chips from flowing into the Chinese market through third-party channels.

TradingKey - During Asian trading hours on July 14, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son predicted at an annual corporate conference in Tokyo that the artificial intelligence sector will require an annual investment of $5 trillion (approximately 800 trillion yen) by 2040. He flatly dismissed market concerns regarding an AI bubble, calling the question itself "ridiculous."

TradingKey - Intel (INTC) recently unveiled a space-grade System-on-Chip (SoC) code-named Starfire, marking the company’s official entry into the space computing market with its first self-developed dedicated chip. The product is primarily designed for satellites, spacecraft, and other equipment in extreme environments, focusing on meeting the demands of commercial aerospace, defense, and government customers for low power consumption, high reliability, and artificial intelligence computing capabilities.

TradingKey - During Asian trading hours on July 14, South Korea's ruling Democratic Party is pushing for an amendment to the "Act on Special Measures for Strengthening and Protecting the Competitiveness of National Strategic Industries." The move aims to pave the way for semiconductor companies such as SK Hynix to introduce external investors when constructing wafer fabs in regions outside the capital area.

Japanese and South Korean equity markets staged a "deep V-shaped recovery," with the KOSPI and Nikkei 225 closing slightly higher. Samsung, SK Hynix, SoftBank, and Kioxia all rose by approximately 3%.

Over the past month, the KOSPI Index has recorded a cumulative plunge of approximately 30% and is losing the key support level of 7,000 points. Having broken its bullish technical structure, the index may continue to decline toward the 5,000-point mark in the second half of the year.

• Favorable monetary policy and lower yields support Bitcoin as a capital hedge. • Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and long-term storage indicate a structural supply-demand imbalance. • Derivatives data shows professional investors increasing exposure via out-of-the-money call options.

• Brent crude prices rose due to tighter supply and geopolitical risk premiums. • High refinery utilization and falling US inventories support current demand and prices. • A weaker US dollar and shifting monetary policy expectations boosted commodity investments.

• BNB appreciation is driven by institutional capital shifts and stabilizing global macro liquidity. • Binance Launchpool staking requirements reduce circulating supply and incentivize spot asset accumulation. • Automated token burns and network transaction volumes support the asset's fundamental value proposition.

• Brent crude prices rose due to tighter supply and seasonal peak demand. • OPEC+ production cuts and capital discipline continue to create a structural supply deficit. • A weakening US Dollar and Middle East geopolitical tensions are supporting energy prices.

• USOIL prices rose due to geopolitical tensions and Strait of Hormuz maritime disruptions. • Investors prioritize supply chain risks over recent OPEC downward demand growth forecasts. • Rising crude prices are fueling inflationary concerns and affecting global interest-rate expectations.

• Capital inflows into US Spot Ethereum ETFs have reduced exchange-side liquidity. • Staking yields and macro conditions are driving institutional investment in Ethereum. • Supply constraints from burning and staking mechanisms support Ethereum's deflationary narrative.

• Geopolitical tensions at the Strait of Hormuz are driving WTI crude oil price increases. • Depleted U.S. petroleum reserves and production obstacles are creating significant supply-side vulnerabilities. • Rising energy costs have prompted markets to anticipate potential interest rate hikes in September.

• New Zealand dollar rose as U.S. inflation data lowered Federal Reserve interest rate expectations. • Higher domestic interest rate expectations in New Zealand attract international capital inflows. • Improved global risk sentiment and rising commodity prices support the currency's current advance.

TradingKey - As of the Asian session on July 14, gold (XAUUSD) prices fluctuated and consolidated around the $4,000 level, briefly dipping below $4,000 to a low of $3,983.23. From a market perspective, gold prices plummeted 2.87% yesterday due to the escalation of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, falling to $3,986.64 intraday. However, the closing price remained steady above $4,000 at $4,001.01, indicating that the $4,000 mark has become a key battleground for bulls and bears. Investors should focus on the U.S. June CPI data today.

Bernstein downgraded Datadog to Market Perform citing slowing non-AI demand. Benchmark raised to a Street-high $330 citing ‘excellent’ checks. DDOG fell 4% on July 10. At $257 on the trendline, the $272 trigger is the week-ahead watch. August 6 earnings.

TradingKey - On July 13 ET, U.S. President Trump stated that the United States will ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and may directly manage this critical global energy transit route. Trump declared that the U.S. will serve as the "guardian" of the strait, while announcing the reinstatement of a naval blockade against Iran and plans to levy a fee on vessels passing through the strait equivalent to 20% of the cargo value to offset the costs incurred by the U.S. in providing security.