South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index rose sharply to 108.7 in June 2025 from 101.8 in May, reaching its highest level since June 2021. The surge in optimism was driven by confidence in newly elected President Lee Jae-myung’s commitment to addressing the country’s economic challenges, as well as progress in trade talks with the US. The rebound follows Lee’s snap election victory on June 3 and the recent approval of a 13.8 trillion won supplementary budget in May. Trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington have been advancing, with both sides aiming to finalize a tariff agreement by July. All key components of the index improved, including views on living standards, household income, consumer spending, and the domestic economy. Meanwhile, inflation expectations remained stable, with one-, three-, and five-year projections all anchored at 2.4%

South Korea Consumer Mood Hits 3-Year High on Reform Hopes

Heating oil futures plunged to around $2.32 per gallon, easing from a five-month high of $2.60 seen June 19th, dragged down by collapsing crude benchmarks and easing geopolitical fears that had previously propped up energy markets. The plunge in crude oil feedstock costs, triggered by Iran’s limited and casualty-free missile response to US strikes, undermined expectations of supply disruptions in the Persian Gulf. Despite threats from Iran’s parliament to block the Strait of Hormuz, oil tankers continued to transit uninterrupted, dousing concerns over global energy flows. This sharp retracement in crude prices directly pressured heating oil, which is refined from the same feedstock. At the same time, refining margins narrowed amid ample inventories and softening summer demand, while forecasts for cooler-than-expected temperatures in key northeastern US markets further capped near-term consumption.

Heating Oil Plunges

In New York,  the Dow Jones Index gained 375 points or 0.89 percent on Monday. Gains were led by Sherwin-Williams (3.39%), IBM (3.05%) and 3M (2.67%). Biggest losers were Chevron (-1.63%), Amgen (-1.51%) and Amazon (-0.53%).

The Dow Jones Index Closes 0.89% Higher

Sugar futures fell below 16 cents per pound but remained above last week's multi-year lows, as traders continued to weigh signs of a growing global surplus. Over the past three months, sugar prices have trended lower, driven by expectations for record global production in the 2025/26 season. The USDA recently forecast output to rise 4.7% yoy to 189.3 MMT, with a surplus of 41 MMT—up 7.5% from the previous year. Bearish pressure intensified from India, where favorable monsoon forecasts and expanded cane acreage could lift sugar production by as much as 25%. Thailand’s output is also projected to rise, while Brazil’s early-season production is down over 11% due to drought, offering some limited support to prices. A surprise decision by Pakistan to import 250K tons of raw sugar has also provided a modest bullish offset. Meanwhile, the International Sugar Organization projects a global sugar deficit of 5.5 MMT for 2024/25, a nine-year high, pointing to possible tightening in the near term.

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最新ニュース

South Korea Consumer Mood Hits 3-Year High on Reform Hopes

Heating Oil Plunges

The Dow Jones Index Closes 0.89% Higher

Sugar Falls on Surplus Fears, Holds Above Lows