Growing Inflation Fears... Retail Investors Buying 'Defensive ETFs' [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]

1. Stock market volatility expands... Individual investors eye 'defensive ETFs'

2. Unlike sharply rising ramen prices... Bread price increases slow down

3. Fears of prolonged war drive up international oil prices and dollar preference

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○All three major U.S. stock indexes closed lower in New York.

○Impacts from the Middle East war and weak economic indicators

○The Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit their lowest levels of the year

Top3 NEWS

■ Inflation fears loom over KOSPI... Amid wartime, retail investors turn to 'defensive ETFs'

○Stock markets decline amid concerns over prolonged U.S.-Iran war
○Soaring oil prices raise inflation fears; government bond yields also surge
○Defensive products such as covered call ETFs see strong sales

■ As edible oil prices rise, 'oil-free ramen' emerges... While bread prices fall, ramen jumps 7%, prompting another government intervention

○As of February, ramen prices up 7.3% percentage points year-on-year
○Government steps in to manage prices amid soaring ramen costs
○Ramen and edible oil shipment prices to be lowered starting in April

■ Iran's provocation drags world economy into a black hole... Soaring 'oil prices', rising 'dollar'

○International oil prices surpass $100 per barrel again
○Dollar index likely to exceed the 100 mark
○Concerns over global economic slowdown and expanding inflation

Graphic News: Which industries are booming despite the U.S.-Iran war?

○Samjong KPMG releases report
○"A complex crisis combining resources, logistics, and AI"
○Most industries hit hard... Defense and shipbuilding sectors benefit

the Chart: Freight costs soar on oil price shock... Cement and ready-mix concrete face ballooning cost burdens

○As of the 12th, average diesel price at 1,917 won per liter
○Fuel cost surge directly impacts under the Safe Trucking Freight Rate System
○Construction industry urges measures amid difficult price negotiations

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

Kanaph Therapeutics KOSDAQ subscription, final offering price: 20,000 won

HANPASS KOSDAQ subscription, expected offering price: 17,000~19,000 won

Mezoo KOSDAQ subscription, expected offering price: 16,700~21,600 won

○Overseas

11:00 China Industrial Production (YoY) (February, year-to-date)

11:00 China Unemployment Rate (February)

21:30 U.S. New York Empire State Manufacturing Index (March)

22:15 U.S. Industrial Production (MoM) (February)

◇Weather for Lunch & Commute

○Lowest temperature 3℃(▼1℃) ｜Highest temperature : 13℃(▲1℃)
○Precipitation probability: Morning 20% | Afternoon 20%
○Fine dust: Moderate in the morning | Moderate in the afternoon

All you need in three minutes: essential, value-packed economic news. Published daily at 8:00 a.m.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.