- Financials
A Basic Introduction to ETF
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is an index fund that combines the characteristics of both funds and stocks: pooling money from multiple investors into one investment (fund) while being tradable on the secondary market (stocks). ETFs can be broadly categorized into security-based, leveraged and inverse, and commodity futures types. Due to their dual nature as both funds and stocks, ETFs also have their corresponding fees.
- Macroeconomics
What reports has the Federal Reserve released?
In addition to influencing interest rates through monetary policy, the Federal Reserve’s reports also frequently have a significant impact on the market. Common reports include the Federal Open Market Committee Statement, FOMC Meeting Minutes, Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), Beige Book, and the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS). There are also more frequently updated reports such as the Balance Sheet (H.4.1) and the Assets and Liabilities of Commercial Banks (H8). These reports provide diverse insights, allowing for market interpretation from various perspectives and revealing the real thoughts of scholars, experts, and Fed officials on the economy.
- Macroeconomics
Fed Policies & Related Tools
The Federal Reserve sets "monetary policy" through FOMC meetings to achieve its dual mandate of stability. The well-known actions of raising and lowering interest rates are part of this process, aimed at controlling the Federal Funds Rate (FFR) using various FOMC tools. Traditionally, these tools include Open Market Operations, the Discount Window, and Required Reserve Ratios. However, additional tools have evolved over time such as Quantitative Easing (QE), Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB), and the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreement (ON RRP). This article will introduce each of these tools in detail, explaining their specific functions and impacts.
- Financials
A Basic Introduction to ETF
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is an index fund that combines the characteristics of both funds and stocks: pooling money from multiple investors into one investment (fund) while being tradable on the secondary market (stocks). ETFs can be broadly categorized into security-based, leveraged and inverse, and commodity futures types. Due to their dual nature as both funds and stocks, ETFs also have their corresponding fees.
- Macroeconomics
What reports has the Federal Reserve released?
In addition to influencing interest rates through monetary policy, the Federal Reserve’s reports also frequently have a significant impact on the market. Common reports include the Federal Open Market Committee Statement, FOMC Meeting Minutes, Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), Beige Book, and the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS). There are also more frequently updated reports such as the Balance Sheet (H.4.1) and the Assets and Liabilities of Commercial Banks (H8). These reports provide diverse insights, allowing for market interpretation from various perspectives and revealing the real thoughts of scholars, experts, and Fed officials on the economy.
What Everyone’s Reading
- Stock
2025/7/22
What is a SPAC? How is it different from a traditional IPO? Are there any examples?
SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) surged in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, offering an alternative path to traditional IPOs for companies—especially startups—seeking rapid access to capital markets. Unlike traditional IPOs, SPACs are created without any operating business, with the sole purpose of acquiring a promising private company in the future. This article explains how SPACs operate, outlines the policy shifts from the Biden administration to the current Trump administration, and presents one successful and one failed case to provide deeper insight into the opportunities and risks of SPACs.
- Industry
2025/7/22
Introduction to Sea Limited: In-depth Analysis of Its Three Core Businesses — Shopee, Garena, and Monee
Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), headquartered in Singapore, operates across three core business segments: Shopee, its fast-growing e-commerce platform actively expanding into emerging global markets; Monee, a fintech platform that has evolved from a digital wallet into a full-scale payment and lending ecosystem; and Garena, its digital entertainment arm known for consistently releasing popular games. This article provides an in-depth overview of the company’s current revenue landscape and explores its future outlook along with potential competitive threats.
- News
2025/7/14
What is the Big and Beautiful Act? What impact does it have?
The recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is considered the signature legislative achievement of Donald Trump’s second term. This comprehensive bill integrates tax reform, national defense, border security, social welfare, and energy policy. Key provisions include: extending and expanding TCJA-related tax cuts and investment incentives, significantly increasing defense and border security spending, cutting back on welfare programs such as Medicaid and food assistance, and shifting energy and environmental policy to support fossil fuel development. The bill is projected to boost U.S. real GDP growth to 0.9% in 2026, though its tax cuts and subsidy reductions are expected to intensify social divisions across the country.
- News
2025/7/14
fiisual Biweekly Oil Report: Tight Spot Market Supply and Demand; U.S. Rig Count Decline Eases Pressure from OPEC Production Increase
Over the past two weeks, oil prices edged higher, supported by tightening supply-demand conditions in the spot market. The continued decline in U.S. rig counts has partially offset the supply pressure from OPEC’s expanded production. Going forward, attention should be paid to tariff policy developments and U.S. refined product demand data.
- Industry
2025/7/8
What are stablecoins? A basic introduction and their impact
After the United States passed the stablecoin legislation (Genius Act), other countries have also started advancing their own stablecoin-related regulations. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to other assets. This article outlines the four main types of stablecoins: fiat-backed, crypto-backed, algorithmic, and commodity-backed. It also highlights the two leading stablecoins, USDT and USDC. Lastly, the article analyzes how major payment institutions—such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal—are responding to the adoption of stablecoins in real-world applications.
