Dow Jones Japan Index weakened Monday, warning of another test of primary support at 48.
Dow Jones South Korea Index had a stronger breakout, but is also now retracing. Respect of support would confirm the up-trend, while reversal below 400 would signal weakness.
HongKong’s Hang Seng Index broke its secondary descending trendline at 19000, indicating a test of the primary trendline at 21000/22000.
* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 16 ) = 22
The Shanghai Composite Index recovered above support at 2350. Breakout above its secondary trendline would also test the primary trendline around 2900.
Dow Jones HongKong Index shows retracement to test short-term support on Monday. Respect of the rising trendline would signal trend strength, while failure of support at 360 would signal another decline.
In general, the eurozone has outsized banks (assets equivalent to 325% of GDP) that are highly leveraged (the 15 largest banks’ leverage is 28.9 times their equity capital). They are also dependent on large quantities of wholesale debt – totaling €4.9 trillion (27% of total eurozone loans), with €660 billion maturing in the next two years – to fund low-yielding assets. According to Barclays Capital, the 15 largest banks increased their returns on equity by 58% between 1998 and 2007, with 90% of the gain coming from higher leverage. Returns have since collapsed.
This model’s viability depends on large amounts of cheap leverage, supported by implicit government backing.
via Europe’s Dying Bank Model – Gene Frieda – Project Syndicate.
What demographers call the Total Fertility Rate is the average number of live births per woman over her lifetime. In the long run, a population is said to be stable if the TFR is at the replacement rate, which is a little above 2.3 for the world as a whole, and somewhat lower, at 2.1, for developed countries, reflecting their lower infant-mortality rates.
The TFR for most developed countries now stands well below replacement levels. The OECD average is at around 1.74, but some countries, including Germany and Japan, produce less than 1.4 children per woman. However, the biggest TFR declines in recent years have been in developing countries. The TFR in China and India was 6.1 and 5.9, respectively, in 1950. It now stands at 1.8 in China, owing to the authorities’ aggressive one-child policy, while rapid urbanization and changing social attitudes have brought down India’s TFR to 2.6.
…. it is likely that world population will peak at nine billion in the 2050’s, a half-century sooner than generally anticipated, followed a sharp decline. One could argue that this is a good thing, in view of the planet’s limited carrying capacity. But, when demographic dynamics turn, the world will have to confront a different set of problems.
via The End of Population Growth – Sanjeev Sanyal – Project Syndicate.
The ASX 200 broke out above its descending trendline — warning that the down-trend was ending — but ran into selling pressure. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow confirms the tall shadow on Friday’s candle. Respect of support at 4100 would suggest a primary up-trend, while failure would re-test primary support at 3850.
* Target calculation: 4300 + ( 4300 – 3900 ) = 4700
Support levels are clearer on the weekly chart.
The Cain campaign, in addition to Mr. Lowrie, lists a handful of advisers who helped craft his plan for “Opportunity Zones.” The zones are designed to help distressed communities by offering lower tax rates to attract businesses and allowing more flexibility on rules such as the minimum-wage law.
via Candidates Mold Economic Teams – WSJ.com.
I have seen this tried before. The low tax rates or incentives attract industries that are labor intensive but not capital intensive. When the subsidies are later removed, many of the businesses move on. If you want them to stay, you have to create incentives for capital investment that cannot be easily re-located.
….Otherwise provide training and incentives for people to move to where the work is.
Canada’s TSX 60 index is headed for a test of resistance at 720/730 on the weekly chart. Expect a retracement. Respect of the trendline would warn of another test of primary support. Breakout above the descending trendline would signal that the primary down-trend has weakened and a bottom is forming. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough that respects the zero line would indicate strong buying pressure.
* Target calculation: 720 + ( 720 – 640 ) = 800
* Target calculation: 720 + ( 720 – 640 ) = 800
The FTSE 100 index is headed for a test of its 2011 high at 6000/6100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow signals strong buying pressure. Expect retracement to test support at 5400. Respect would confirm a primary up-trend; failure would re-test support at 4800.
* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 4800 ) = 6000
Germany’s DAX is testing resistance at 6500. Retracement would test support at 5600. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak that respects the zero line would warn that the bear market will continue.
* Target calculation: 5700 + ( 5700 – 5000 ) = 6400
Italy is the latest canary in the coal mine. The FTSE MIB index rallied to test its secondary descending trendline at 17000. Respect would warn of another test of primary support at 13000, while breakout would offer a target of 19000*. The primary trend remains downward despite 13-week Twiggs Money Flow having crossed above zero.
* Target calculation: 17 + ( 17 – 15 ) = 19
Several weeks ago, when asked what it would take to reverse the bear market, I replied that it would take 3 strong blue candles on the weekly chart followed by a correction — of at least two red candles — that respects the earlier low. We have had three strong blue candles. Now for the correction.
On the S&P 500 expect retracement to test support at 1200 or 1250. Respect of 1250 would signal a strong up-trend, while failure of support at 1200 would warn of another test of primary support at 1100. A trough on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow that respects the zero line would also indicate strong buying pressure.
* Target calculation: 1225 + ( 1225 – 1100 ) = 1350
Dow Jones Industrial Average weekly chart displays a similar picture. Expect retracement to test support at 11500. A peak on 63-day Twiggs Momentum that respects the zero line would be bearish — warning of continuation of the primary down-trend.
* Target calculation: 11500 + ( 11500 – 10500 ) = 12500
The Nasdaq 100 is testing resistance at 2400 — close to the 2011 high. Breakout would signal a primary advance to 2800*, while respect would warn of another test of primary support at 2000. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow has warned of a reversal for several weeks.
* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2000 ) = 2800
On Friday, Chinese and European officials sought to play down expectations about when and how China may deploy its vast financial resources to help bail out indebted countries in Europe.
A Chinese Vice Finance Minister said China must first see the details of a new European bailout fund before making any commitments. “We of course must wait until its structure is extremely clear,” Zhu Guangyao told a press briefing. “And moreover, this investment must be decided on after serious, technical discussions.”
Mr. Regling told reporters he doesn’t expect “any precise outcome” from his visit to China and said “it’s too early to say what kind of amounts might be envisioned.”
…..Mr. Regling dismissed suggestions that European leaders will be forced to offer concessions to China in return for investment. “I am not here to discuss concessions,” he said, noting that China already buys EFSF bonds and gets no special considerations.
