OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - Corrective Cycle In Oil Futures Extends

Earlier, the five contenders for the presidency of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) participated in a debate hosted by the Japan National Press Club. Asahi Shimbun detailed the main points of the debate, with key foreign policy comments from the main contenders, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Minister of State for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi, below. 

• Koizumi:
  • On US-Japan relations: "Building trust between leaders is extremely important." He indicated a desire to meet Trump at the earliest possible time if elected PM. He said that "Japan-US relations remain the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy."
  • To former Minister of State for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi, Koizumi says that 2% of GDP on defence is "not nearly enough."
• Takaichi:
  • On foreign relations: "I believe it is extremely important to cooperate and respond [with South Korea] amid the growing closeness between China, Russia, and North Korea. While there is economic competition to some degree, there is significant cultural exchange." Calls for deeper Japan-US-RoK links, as well as Japan-US-Philippines.
  • On relations with China: "While there are concerns regarding economic security and national defence, diplomatic strength is crucial. We will approach this with a stance of engaging in candid and repeated dialogue."
  • Takaichi demurred on the topic of visiting the controversial Yasukuni shrine. Advocating for the PM visiting during the 2024 LDP election, this time she said the issue should not be politicised in effort to maintain ties w/RoK if she becomes PM. 

• In the FI space, Bund futures are unchanged and the contract is trading closer to its recent lows. Key support and the bear trigger lies at 127.61, the Sep 3 low. A break of this level would cancel a recent bullish theme and confirm a continuation of the medium-term bear cycle. For bulls, a reversal higher would refocus attention on key resistance at 129.44, the Sep 10 high. First resistance is at 128.60, the 20-day EMA.
• Despite the latest pullback from its recent highs, Gilt futures remain in a bull cycle and a recent rally highlights a stronger corrective phase. Note that the move higher has allowed an oversold trend condition to unwind. Price has breached initial firm resistance at 90.84, the Aug 28 and 29 high. A resumption of gains would open 92.06, the Aug 14 high. Initial support to monitor lies at 90.65 (pierced), the Sep 5 low.

• MNI: US MBA: MARKET COMPOSITE +0.6% SA THRU SEP 19 WK