EconoMonitor | Japan’s Three Arrows―Will They Fly?

Jerry Schiff writes:

We see encouraging signs that the desired changes to the economy are beginning to take place. Growth in the first quarter rose by an impressive 4¼ percent seasonally adjusted annual rate. Equity markets are up by some 40 percent for the year. Exports appear to be recovering. Credit growth has turned positive. Consumer and business confidence have picked up. And Inflation expectations are beginning to rise…… But the transformation is far from complete. In particular, higher investment and wages — two keys for ultimate success — are not yet observed.

Read more at EconoMonitor : EconoMonitor » Japan’s Three Arrows―Will They Fly?.

China rally spurs ASX advance

China’s Shanghai Composite Index rallied from support at 1950 to test medium-term resistance at 2100 on the weekly chart. Breakout would indicate a test of the descending trendline at 2200. The primary trend is down, but penetration of the trendline would suggest that a bottom has formed.

Shanghai Composite Index

The Shenzhen Composite Index has been in a primary up-trend since May, but displayed weakness with a second, shaky test of support at 900. Troughs above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate the primary up-trend is intact. Breakout above the last high at 1040 would confirm — a bullish sign for the Shanghai Composite.

Shenzhen Composite Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is testing medium-term support at 13500. Breach would indicate a correction to primary support at 12500, but respect of the zero line by 21-day Twiggs Money Flow would suggest the primary up-trend is intact. Recovery above 14500 would strengthen the signal.

Nikkei 225 Index

India’s Sensex respected primary support at 18500. Rising troughs on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate moderate buying pressure. Expect another test of resistance at 20500 (i.e. a test of 20500 is likely). Breach of support, while unlikely, would warn of a primary down-trend — confirmed if there is follow-through below 18000.

BSE Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 20000 + ( 20000 – 18000 ) = 22000

The ASX 200 broke short-term resistance at 5120, signaling an advance to the May peak at 5250. Rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. Reversal below 5000 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to at least 4850.

ASX 200 Index

Breakout above 5250 would indicate another advance, but high volatility, shown by the broadening formation of the last few months, will require further evidence to confirm this.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 5250 + ( 5250 – 4650 ) = 5850

Superannuation is inequitable and unsustainable | | MacroBusiness

I agree with Leith van Onselen that Australia’s aged pension/superannuation regime will be sorely tested over the next 30 years as the number of workers per retiree falls to below 2.5 to 1:

Workers per Retiree

But I don’t agree with his proposed solution:

…The flat 15% tax on superannuation contributions should also be axed in favour of a flat 15% concession. As illustrated above, under the current 15% flat tax arrangement, the amount of super concessions rises as one moves up the income tax scale, resulting in a system whereby higher income earners receive the most super tax benefit, despite being the very people that are the least likely to rely on the aged pension in retirement. A flat 15% concession, by comparison, would improve the equity and sustainability of the system by: 1) providing all taxpayers with the same taxation concession; 2) boosting lower income earners’ super savings and thus reducing reliance on the aged pension; and 3) reducing costs to the budget.

Argument that the flat tax on superannuation contributions is inequitable is based on the presumption that the present system of progressive tax rates is equitable. No doubt high income-earners benefit more from the flat tax than low income-earners, but the proposal ignores the fact that they pay more income tax in the first place. And even after the larger tax savings on their super contributions, the high income-earner will pay a significantly higher average tax rate.

Read more at Superannuation is inequitable and unsustainable | | MacroBusiness.

Pollies miss the point on infrastructure | MacroBusiness

I fully support Leith van Onselen’s view on infrastructure investment:

It is important to (as much as possible) take the decision-making for infrastructure investment away from the political process and instead place it in the hands of an independent authority tasked with maximising overall welfare and productivity at lowest cost. Picking infrastructure winners, based on preconceived ideas or political motivations, is a recipe for waste and is likely to end up being productivity-destroying for the economy at large.

Read more at Pollies miss the point on infrastructure | | MacroBusiness.

China ‘hard landing’ could trigger Australia recession: Standard & Poor – The Economic Times

“Australia’s exposure to commodity demand from Asia, and China in particular, was a saving grace during the global recession of 2009. But by the same token it has become Australia’s Achilles’ heel,” the ratings giant [Standard & Poor’s] said.

“Particularly while mining investment remains such a large share of the Australian economy, and other sectors continue to lack growth momentum, Australia remains highly sensitive to a sharp correction in China’s economic growth.”

Read more at China ‘hard landing’ could trigger Australia recession: Standard & Poor – The Economic Times.

ASX 200 tests resistance

The ASX 200 rallied off support at 5000. Breakout above 5120 would indicate an advance to 5250. Rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow supports the signal. Reversal below 5000 is unlikely, but would test medium-term support at 4850. Breakout above 5250 would present a long-term target of 5850*.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 5250 + ( 5250 – 4650 ) = 5850

The ASX 200 Volatility Index ($XVI) below 15 is a bullish sign.

ASX 200 Index

Europe: DAX bullish, but FTSE selling pressure

Germany’s DAX recovered above the 2007 high at 8200. Follow-through above 8500 would offer a long-term target of 9500*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. Reversal below 8000 is now unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 7700.
DAX Index

* Target calculation: 8500 + ( 8500 – 7500 ) = 9500

The FTSE 100 is consolidating between 6500 and the 2007 high of 6750. Breakout above 6750 would signal an advance to the 1999 high of 7000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, however, warns of a correction. Reversal below 6500 is likely, and would indicate a test of 6000.
FTSE 100 Index

Spain’s Madrid General Index is testing resistance at 900. Long-term 13-week Twiggs Money Flow remains weak, but breakout above 900 would indicate an advance to 1050*.
Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 900 + ( 900 – 750 ) = 1050

S&P 500 healthy up-trend

The S&P 500 is again testing resistance at 1700 after a short retracement. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of selling pressure, but breakout above 1700 would signal an advance to 1800*. Reversal below 1675 would test support at 1650.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1680 + ( 1680 – 1560 ) = 1800

But the primary up-trend shown on the quarterly chart is healthy and, while correction to the rising trendline would be reasonable, trend reversal is unlikely.
S&P 500 Index

The VIX below 15 indicates low market risk.

VIX Index

Canada’s TSX 60 VIX is similarly bullish.

TSX 60 VIX Index

The TSX Composite Index is testing support at 12400. Penetration of the declining trendline would indicate the correction is over and advance to 12900/13000 likely. A 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would suggest a healthy up-trend. Breach of support remains as likely, however, and would test 12250. In the long-term, breakout above 12900/13000 would offer a long-term target of 14000*.
TSX Composite Index

* Target calculation: 13000 + ( 13000 – 12000 ) = 14000

Increase the GST to 20%? Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it

Sinclair Davidson writes:

The Henry Review indicated that the GST had a deadweight loss (the loss of value that occurs when a tax is imposed) of some 8 cents in the dollar, compared to 24 cents for personal income tax, and 40 cents for the corporate income tax. So increasing the GST and reducing income tax rates looks like a win-win for everyone. On a purely economic assessment that is what many economists would recommend.

…but

Voters and taxpayers do not want Canberra to have too much access to easy tax dollars because they know full well the power to tax will be abused.

Read more at Increase the GST to 20%? Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Marketview: Careful of that ticking noise under the hood | Dynamic Hedge

Dynamic Hedge writes:

A few weeks back I noted that the market had the potential to “shift gears into full rocket mode or sputter out at the 1700 figure and back fill.” So far, it has chosen to sputter out at the 1700 level. We now have more information and can confirm that under the hood, the market is not as strong as we’d like to see. It is too early to tell if we are in real danger here, but market conditions like usually mean you should ratchet down your risk tolerance: tighten up stops, or move to overall defensive positions. I do not feel that the overall bull run has concluded, but you’ve got to be aware of the warning signs….

For more on the warning signs, read Marketview: Careful of that ticking noise under the hood | Dynamic Hedge.