The Rolex economy – macrobusiness.com.au | macrobusiness.com.au

My main concern is that frighteningly, the RBA, and probably much of the government, sees Australia’s future as a single bet on mining, and is willing to sacrifice much of the remaining economy for this to happen……. Remember, the minerals will be in the ground if we don’t mine them now, but the decades of production chains elsewhere in the economy are easily destroyed and slow to rebuild.

I acknowledge that the RBA has a single tool in its toolbox, but surely the message we should be hearing is that a strong and stable economy is a diverse economy. Quarry Australia is a very volatile and risky place to want to be.

via The Rolex economy – macrobusiness.com.au | macrobusiness.com.au.

Dow runs out of buyers

Dow Jones Industrial Average failed to reach resistance at 11900/12000. Low volumes indicate a lack of interest from buyers rather than large numbers of sellers. Expect a test of support at 10600 to 10800. A strong surge in volume would indicate buying support, but failure is more likely and would offer a target of 9600*.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 10800 – ( 12000 – 10800 ) = 9600

The S&P 500 Index is similarly headed for a test of support at 1100/1120. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow peaking below the zero line [bear] warns of strong selling pressure. Failure of support would offer a target of 1000*.

S&P500 Index

* Target calculation: 1120 – ( 1260 – 1120 ) = 980

The Nasdaq 100 Index fared better over the last few weeks, but a failed breakout above 2200 warns of another test of 2000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow reversal below zero would further strengthen the bear signal.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2000 – ( 2200 – 2000 ) = 1800

China’s Low-Wage Export Engine Starts to Sputter – China Real Time Report – WSJ

UBS Economist Jonathan Anderson: Beijing has relied on super-low wages to win a bigger slice of global exports…….But for the past 24 months….China’s share of low-end light manufacturing imports into the U.S. and European Union “has peaked” at around 50% of those markets. In the U.S. market, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Mexico are picking up market share at China’s expense. In the EU, it’s those Asian nations along with Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

via China’s Low-Wage Export Engine Starts to Sputter – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

Look for growth in these markets: Vietnam, Bangladesh(?), Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Troika Talks on Aid to Greece Stall – WSJ.com

“I expect a hard default definitely before March, maybe this year, and it could come with this program review,” said a senior IMF economist who is keeping close tabs on the situation. “The chances for a second program are slim.”

Failure of Greece to meet its targets, growing reluctance by some euro members to continue lending and the fact that private-sector participation in a second bailout won’t significantly alter Greece’s debt profile are the primary factors, the IMF official said.

via Troika Talks on Aid to Greece Stall – WSJ.com.

Jobs Paralysis Raises Odds of Fed Action – Real Time Economics – WSJ

Job market paralysis in August increases the chance the Federal Reserve will do something new to help the economy……. The current environment is pushing the Fed towards action. A week ago, Chairman Ben Bernanke told a gathering of the world’s top economic officials he was expanding the length of the upcoming September Federal Open Market Committee to give policy makers additional time to talk about what the Fed can do, which by itself increased the odds something was going to happen.

via Jobs Paralysis Raises Odds of Fed Action – Real Time Economics – WSJ.

Traders Don’t Care About Long-Term Problems, But You Should | Chris Ciovacco | Safehaven.com

We believe the psyche of investors is on the verge of reaching a tipping point, which could cause a very rapid decline in asset prices. It is next to impossible to know if and when they will reach for the sell button in unison, but the risk for such an event is elevated and must be considered in all portfolio management decisions. Stocks dropped 34% in twelve trading sessions in 1987. High volatility occurred before that drop, indicating an increased willingness to run for the exits. If you have not noticed, the markets have been volatile recently. An “Oh, my God” type event is difficult to predict, but the conditions are in place to make for an interesting next few months.

via Traders Don’t Care About Long-Term Problems, But You Should | Chris Ciovacco | Safehaven.com.

Chinese manufacturing index rises but export outlook dips | The Australian

Exports were a problem area during the month, as the official survey’s new export orders subindex fell to 48.3 from 50.4 in July, slipping into contractionary territory for the first time since April 2009.

Economists said the weak exports reading could be an ominous sign for the export-dependent economy.

“It is a sign that China was affected by turbulent global markets in August,” said Standard Chartered economist Li Wei.

via Chinese manufacturing index rises but export outlook dips | The Australian.