EM ASIA CREDIT: Xiaomi: 3Q results strong, margins to shrink

Oil prices have moved in a narrow range during today’s APAC session with WTI falling 0.4% to $57.30/bbl, below initial support at $57.50, 30 May low, opening $54.89, 5 May low. Brent is down 0.4% to $61.07/bbl holding above round number support at $60.00. Crude found support on Friday from a more positive US-China trade outlook but fundamentals remain poor with supply increasing and demand softening. The USD index is flat. 

• While Q3 China GDP was stronger than expected at 4.8% y/y, it was below the 5% target and Q2’s 5.2%. Also September property and investment data remained weak. Since China is the largest oil importer, the strength of its demand is important especially as the market’s focus is on expected record excess supply in 2026.
• US-China trade negotiations continue this week and Trump’s comments signal that there should be an agreement.
• In terms of geopolitics, attention is on Ukraine again with meetings due to take place including possibly between Trump and Putin. Ukraine hit an important southern Russian gas processing facility on the weekend which resulted in it stopping inbound flows.
• Later the ECB’s Schnabel speaks while the Fed is in its media blackout ahead of the 29 October decision. The ongoing US government shutdown continues to impact public sector data releases. August euro area current account and construction and Canada’s Q3 BoC business survey print.

• Friday's losses did not follow into Monday with major bourses delivering solid gains, with some trading through key technical levels.  
• The Hang Seng lost -2.5% on Friday and has regained that today, trending above the 50-day EMA .  At 25,877 above now is the 20-day EMA of 26,137 which it has trended above for most of the period from May.   China stocks had a day of data releases and GDP moderated as expected, whilst Industrial Production surprised to the upside following on from better than expected exports reported last week.  The CSI 300 has rebounded also though only by +0.80% as it tries to break back above the 20-day EMA.  Easing trade tensions supported China's stocks as US President Trump said that 'much higher tariffs threatened wouldn't be sustainable', as a new round of talks between the two countries is about to start.
• The NIKKEI was the star yet again today roaring up +2.9% reaching another new all time high of 48,956.  The cooling of the US China tensions added to the news that the LDP is likely to sign a new coalition deal with the Innovation Party, with pro-stimulus candidate Sanae Takaichi now on track to be the next Prime Minister.  
• Not to be outdone by its neighbour in Japan, the KOSPI is up +1.43% to reach yet another new high of 3,801 today.  
• Having suffered at the hands of US trade tensions with focus on its purchase of Russian oil, the NIFTY 50 continues its turnaround story up 200pts in morning trading to reach a new all time high of 25,913.

USD/JPY sits off earlier highs (151.20), last near 150.70/75, up only slightly versus end Friday levels. We remain above the 20-day EMA, while Friday lows were at 149.38. We have to get back above 152.60 to challenge recent highs. Such a move could draw fresh verbal FX jawboning, particularly if it isn't accompanied by a sharp rise in US-JP yield differentials. Fallout from Takaichi, who is set to become the new PM, is limited so far. Headlines from hawkish BoJ board member Takata are also providing some modest support this afternoon.  

• Local focus is on digesting the formed coalition between the LDP and Ishin, which should deliver the PM position to LDP leader Takaichi. Takaichi is generally seen as a negative for the yen, local bonds (given her pro growth/monetary lose comments in the past), while being positive for equities. Still, earlier comments from Takaichi and her advisors indicated they didn't intend to excessively weaken the yen, which along with Takaichi odds of being PM being elevated at the end of last week, may be limiting  yen fallout so far today.
• Ishin stated: "*YOSHIMURA: DON'T HAVE TIMELINE ON ZERO CONSUMPTION TAX ON FOOD" - BBG, so it may take a little time for fresh policies to emerge.
• BoJ's Takata stated that now is the time to adjust policy rates further and the inflation target is more or less achieved. Takata voted for a rate hike at the last policy meeting but this wasn't the majority viewpoint. At this stage, only 6bps with of hike risks are priced by the market for the end Oct meeting.