SOUTH KOREA: Pres. Lee Talks Up Reset In China Ties After Xi Meeting
(MNI) London - Yonhap reporting comments from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung following the conclusion of his talks with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Says that "I would like to open a new phase in the development of Korea-China relations together with Chairman Xi. [...] we will solidify the political foundation and friendly sentiment of Korea-China relations". Lee says that the summit is an important opportunity for the full restoration of South Korea-China relations. The two leaders signed 14 MoUs in an effort to bolster economic ties and investment.
- Regarding tensions between North and South Korea, Lee says, "We will work together to find feasible alternatives for peace on the Korean Peninsula." This comes after North Korea launched ballistic missile tests ahead of Lee's visit to China. North Korea's official news agency claimed that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw tests of hypersonic missiles. As WaPo reports, "In recent weeks, North Korea test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine."
- The Lee administration has found itself in a difficult diplomatic position recently. Heightened tensions between China and Japan have put strain on Seoul's ability to straddle relations with Beijing and Tokyo. Lee's comments on the China reset could indicate a preference of securing stronger economic links with Beijing, rather than a closer security relationship with Japan, now led by hardline conservative PM Sanae Takaichi.
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USDCAD TECHS: Bull Channel Breakout
- RES 4: 1.4140 High Nov 5 and a key resistance
- RES 3: 1.4131 High Nov 21
- RES 2: 1.4051 High Nov 28
- RES 1: 1.3939/4016 Low Nov 28 / 20-day EMA
- PRICE: 1.3865 @ 16:35 GMT Dec 5
- SUP 1: 1.3853 Intraday low
- SUP 2: 1.3840 50.0% retracement of the Jun 16 - Nov 6 bull cycle
- SUP 3: 1.3812 Low Sep 23
- SUP 4: 1.3779 Low Sep 22
A bear theme in USDCAD remains intact and Friday’s strong sell-off reinforces a bear theme. The pair has breached an important support at 1.3942, the base of a bull channel drawn from the Jul 23 low. The break highlights a stronger bear cycle and signals scope for an extension towards 1.3840 next, a Fibonacci retracement point. Initial firm resistance to watch is 1.4016, 20-day EMA.
LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead: FOMC Decision Dominates, Post Shutdown Data Catch-Up
- Next week’s US calendar is dominated by the FOMC decision on Wednesday, with a third consecutive 25bp cut almost fully priced.
- Expect it to be a contentious meeting however, with many arguing for a pause not least whilst they’re still relatively in the dark on key official data releases following the government shutdown.
- Fed Chair Powell opted for a surprisingly hawkish tone at the late October press conference, highlighting a deeply divided committee on prospects for another cut in December.
- The “fog” had appeared to win out until NY Fed’s Williams, a senior permanent voter, gave unusually explicit guidance on still seeing room “for a further adjustment in the near term”. With no pushback from FOMC members or media briefings, it appears this message has approval from the core of the FOMC which should be enough to see a rate cut this month. The likely catalyst was the further increase in the unemployment rate to 4.44% back in September, although subsequent tracking suggests stabilization and jobless claims data don’t show any signs of deterioration.
- We’ll be looking for the number of hawkish dissents (we’d be surprised if anyone joins Miran dissenting for a 50bp cut) and expect a greater number to object to a cut in the 2025 dot plot, whilst the distribution of dots for 2026 should be in greater focus.
- As for the economic projections, we expect upward revisions to GDP growth but downward revisions to near-term core PCE inflation with tariff passthrough proving less severe than previously feared.
Aside from the Fed, we also receive two months worth of JOLTS data along with other delayed releases as the shutdown data backlog is slowly caught up.
AUDUSD TECHS: Bullish Impulsive Wave Extends
- RES 4: 0.6723 High Oct 21 ‘24
- RES 3: 0.6707 High Sep 17 and a key resistance
- RES 2: 0.6660 High Sep 18
- RES 1: 0.6649 Intraday high
- PRICE: 0.6630 @ 16:32 GMT Dec 5
- SUP 1: 0.6580/6533 High Nov 13 / 20-day EMA
- SUP 2: 0.6517 Low Nov 27
- SUP 3: 0.6466/21 Low Nov 26 / 21
- SUP 4: 0.6415 Low Aug 21 / 22 and a bear trigger
A strong impulsive bull wave in AUDUSD remains intact, having printed 10 consecutive sessions of higher highs. Recent gains have cleared a number of important short-term resistance points, strengthening a bull theme and highlighting scope for a continuation higher. Today’s rally has resulted in a breach of 0.6640, 76.4% of the Sep 17 - Nov 21 bear leg. This opens 0.6707, the Sep 17 high and key resistance. Key support to watch is at 0.6533, 20-day EMA.
