“Wall St braces for a brutal open after China rout”

Written By: - Date published: 10:12 pm, August 24th, 2015 - 121 comments
Categories: capitalism, Economy, Financial markets - Tags:

Every bubble must pop some time. And since GFC 1 the powers that be have been blowing up massive asset price bubbles all over the world. Now it looks like a reversion to mean in the global markets might be on the cards and be truly vertiginous. If the world central banks are out of QE bullets as the buyer of last resort (long gone are the idea of “free markets” in the financial system), things are going to get very messy in the crony capitalist world over the next 2-3 months.

Remember, true financial market crashes don’t happen in a couple of days or even a couple of weeks. The kinds of massive greed driven imbalances which have built up tend to unwind over much longer periods of time: many months, or longer. But day to day movements can be horrifically volatile.

Meanwhile ZeroHedge suggests that the real global economy is currently falling through the floor, as evidenced by massive declines in global container freight rates.

I like the article heading on MarketWatch: “How market carnage is only going to get worse: in 4 charts.

Depositor bail-ins, anyone?

marketwatch

121 comments on ““Wall St braces for a brutal open after China rout” ”

  1. thatguynz 1

    Spot on CV. Keep an eye on the signals for when is a smart time to remove and cash holdings from banks to avoid the OBR “haircut”.

    [Cheers 🙂 CV]

    • weka 1.1

      what does that mean?

      • thatguynz 1.1.1

        The “OBR” part? It’s the Open Bank Resolution which while ostensibly being a tool for minimising the likelihood of banking failure in the event of a fiscal crisis also enables the bank to tap into the funds on deposit (ie. our savings) – commonly referred to as an “account haircut”. In effect it means that the depositors bail out the bank with no recompense.

        • weka 1.1.1.1

          so to put that in lay person’s language, any bank can take money we have in accounts with them? Can they do that at will, or is it regulated when and under what conditions they can do that?

          Has that ever been done in NZ?

          Were you being serious? Are you going to share what the signals are?

          • thatguynz 1.1.1.1.1

            In laypersons terms they can’t strictly do it at will however you’d be putting a lot of faith in the regulator / Reserve Bank that there will be adequate controls and oversight. The conditions to do so are when the bank has been placed under Statutory Management.

            More (official) details can be found here – http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation_and_supervision/banks/policy/4368385.html

            This article may do a better job of explaining it – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/9988749/OBR-policy-a-scary-bank-secret

            It has never been enacted in NZ as we haven’t had any banks in financial strife since it was passed in 2013.

            Serious – yes, deadly.

            • weka 1.1.1.1.1.1

              thanks, that’s very helpful. Ok, so a new thing then, for the raiders presumably.

              “The conditions to do so are when the bank has been placed under Statutory Management.”

              Done on a bank by bank basis then, rather than a nationwide thing?

              And the signs?

              • thatguynz

                Yes a bank by bank basis – I don’t believe the OBR can be applied universally by the RB although I could be wrong about that.

                The signs should be pretty straightforward given the interlinked nature of multinational banking. First and foremost you don’t want to wait until the bank in NZ has closed its doors before you try to get money out – at that stage it is too late as there is every likelihood that deposits will have been frozen. Typical signs (IMHO) will be a number of limit down (or close to limit down) days in key international stock indicies, questions around lending liquidity – particularly in the US (ie. people asking aggressively for further QE or TARP). There are a multitude of other things you can look at however they are probably the simplest. Queues outside the bank would of course be a bit of a dead giveaway but it’s likely the horse has bolted by then 🙂

                They key thing for me is that it is easy to take the money out (within reason) and easy to put it back if the worst case scenario doesn’t come to fruition – a bit of a pain for sure but unless you have millions on deposit its not like you’re losing out on significant interest payments while you’re in cash rather than bank deposits.

  2. infused 2

    It’s already started and you’re late to the party. The reasons you’ve stated are wrong though.

    * China has scared the shit out of everyone.
    * N / S Korea is causing sell off.
    * Oil has plummeted.

    But mainly China.

    Zerohedge is a joke. Go get some tinfoil while you’re at it.

    • Colonial Viper 2.1

      ZeroHedge is what it is. It reports a lot of info that you won’t see in the MSM – like the collapse in global container shipping prices.

      As for the root causes of the current market meltdown – you need to look deeper than the obvious proximal causes.

      • infused 2.1.1

        No, it’s pretty simple really. Everyone tries to make it out like something very complex. It’s not.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1

          If it’s so simple then there’s no need to comment further, is there.

        • thatguynz 2.1.1.2

          Really? if it’s so simple by all means inform us of its simplicity.

          I’ve traded and watched the markets and the associated geo-politics and macro economics for well over 10 years and I’m all ears as to what you may view as simple. What I do know however is it’s not what you have posited above – that is the window dressing.

          • infused 2.1.1.2.1

            Because the ‘window dressing is what scares the markets, regardless of the underlying reasons.

            • thatguynz 2.1.1.2.1.1

              No, the window dressing is what scares the retail investors – not the wholesale investors which is where the vast majority of the volume (HFT notwithstanding) comes from.

      • AmaKiwi 2.1.2

        +1 Yes, “you need to look deeper than the obvious proximal causes.”

        Human beings are often irrational, especially when we make bets which we justify as being “investments.”

        We could just as soon take “infused’s” negatives and turn them into positives:

        1. Low oil prices are fantastic because oil is so essential for all our industries. It’s like everyone just got a pay raise.
        2. N/S Korea have played this game many times before, the deadline is past, and they are negotiating. All is well there.
        3. The China sell-off is a normal correction by Chinese standards and hasn’t even retraced the irrational rally of the past year.

        There you go. “Infused’s” news is all good and that’s why the markets are going up today.

    • Zero hedge is a joke? The guy who runs it is a serious Wall street insider and he’s been predicting this for a couple of years now. Just because the banksters have managed to kick down the road a bit longer doesn’t mean this is not very serious.

      Here are my 2 cents:
      On China, Fiat Money And Why John Key Is Lying When He Calls The Crash A Mere Correction!

  3. Clemgeopin 3

    PANIC GRIPS MARKETS.

    Stock market rout wipes another £40bn off FTSE 100 in China panic –

    LIVE!

    see Below

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/aug/24/global-stocks-sell-off-deepens-as-panic-grips-markets-live#block-55daa386e4b030434a2b0980

    Wall Street expected to tumble, following losses in Europe and ASsia, as concern grows over China’s economy, and Beijing’s ability to handle the crisis

    Summary: European market slide after Asian rout
    FTSE 100 loses £40bn of value
    Chinese stock market tumbled 8.5%; biggest fall since 2007
    Analyst: Beijing isn’t in control
    Beijing poised to flood the market with cash, says WSJ
    Japan’s Nikkei slid 4.6%
    Australia has worst day in six years

  4. Bill 4

    I can’t see anyone arguing with this line of logic.

    Freight rates for container shipping from Asia to Europe fell by a fifth in the second week of August, when they should be picking up a bit. If container ships are not being hired, it’s a sure sign there is less importing and exporting going on.

    Or will they?

    edit: Oops. Just msm verification of info already linked to in the post. Sorry.

    • I think China has about 2 years supply of ‘stuff’, so no more overtime, which means not as much money, which means not as many babies = no need for milk powder.
      Buy a flat screen for the farmers sake, we need to consume our way out of this.

  5. Raf 5

    Can anyone explain what it will mean, in practical terms, for NZ?

    • Colonial Viper 5.1

      house prices, our interest and exchange rates, commodity prices and our banking stability, are all going to come under pressure

      • adam 5.1.1

        We got buffered by Australia in 2009, now the gloves are off.

        I’m predicting, houses going up in flames.

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1

          Esp if thousands of Chinese Auckland house owners decide they have to liquidate portfolios ASAP, at any price.

          • Pat 5.1.1.1.1

            maybe , depends on whether the Chinese property investors in Auckland used borrowed money to invest in Chinese sharemarket….one of the main reasons for the property investment in western economies was to remove it from the risks associated with having that investment in China…assume you have seen the capital outflows from China of late?

            • Pat 5.1.1.1.1.1

              of greater concern are the reasons for the crash and relates to your shipping data…trade, what are the implications for world trade if China slows consumption even further?

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.2

            No, the Chinese will be buying up Auckland houses, trying to get their money out of China while it still has value and before they’re wiped out.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.2.1

              Money will go to the far more liquid and safe haven US dollar denominated Treasuries first.

              In a crash it takes too much time to buy a house, let alone $100M worth of houses.

              • Lanthanide

                Why do you need $100M worth of houses?

                You just need 1 house, and plane ticket to get to it.

                • vto

                  I think Lanthanide that you are missing the point of how people behave at times of financial panic.

                  They
                  do
                  not
                  buy
                  anything
                  anywhere

                  I have observed you the last few years pinging back at those (including moi) who have called this GFC2 for a while now…. lets see who ends up being correct….

                  The unsustainable world of debt was never resolved at GFC1, the powers of money-printers was always limited, the final correction was always going to come. This is likely it.

                  place a bet on it?

                  edit: for an assessment of chines house buyers in Auckland, check Auckland real estate agency anecdote and stats over the next week – that will be the sign

                  • Colonial Viper

                    Buying (and liquidating) houses is a slow process; if more foreign Chinese do flood the Auckland market it will only show up in the stats a month or four down the track.

                    • Pat

                      the buying has occured over a period of years, and the intention is not necessarily for short term liquidation…it is a hedging measure against all sorts of scenarios…granted some may need to liquidate rapidly but would suggest it is in no way a given….future purchases i believe can be safetly expected to significantly decrease which will impact values.

                    • vto

                      I must disagree. The process of actually buying and selling may be slow but the enquiry phones react instantly. It will show up today and over the next week.

                      And I will also posit that it wont be enquiry to buy, it will be enquiry to sell.

                • Colonial Viper

                  Why do you need $100M worth of houses?

                  I thought your comment was about wealthy Chinese wanting to quickly move large sums of cash out of China.

                  • Lanthanide

                    Fiar enough. I’m talking about the wealthy Chinese getting out of China to live somewhere else…

            • lprent 5.1.1.1.2.2

              It could go either way. Either renewed purchasing or realising assets to cover positions. But the changes in the exchange rate and the marked increases in supply of apartments will probably drive what happens.

            • Pat 5.1.1.1.2.3

              IF they still can access funds and the chinese gov dosnt move to restrict outflows.

          • travellerev 5.1.1.1.3

            Fun part is: China’s been printing funny money for the last couple of years. They are responsible for half of the global money supply created out of nothing by the privately owned banks and yes, the Chinese banks are owned by the ruling elite.

            The Chinese elite have been buying real world assets such as real estate, land, huge amounts of gold with that funny money also known as counterfeited money.

            Ask John Key, he knows all about how that works!

      • b waghorn 5.1.2

        What would trigger radid interest rate rises.?

    • AmaKiwi 5.2

      I go a bit farther: A sovereign debt crisis is close at hand.

      That means credit dries up worldwide, including here. Without credit (lending), business dries us. People stop buying anything except essentials. And yes, NZ property prices take a dive.

      • Colonial Viper 5.2.1

        Let’s see if they can maintain trust (and liquidity) between financial institutions this time around…

  6. Clemgeopin 6

    7 minutes ago

    FTSE 100 hits new lows, now down 3.5%

    The rout is deepening.

    The FTSE 100 just fell below the 6000 point-mark again, as traders react to predictions of a heavy selloff on Wall Street.

    The blue-chip index is now down over 220 points or 3.5% at 5964 points, its lowest level since January 2013.

    If it finishes there, then more than £50bn would have been wiped off the collective value of the 100 companies on the index (we’ll get the official verdict after 4.30pm BST, when the market closes).
    ————–
    Earlier, one fund manager called it a “disaster”, which could drive many firms under.

    The scale of the crash, though, is raising fears that Beijing is losing its grip on the crisis — which Bloomberg says has wiped $5 TRILLION from global markets this month.

    Asian markets were left reeling by the selloff in Shanghai, as they were dragged downwards in a wave of selling.
    ————-

    • Clemgeopin 6.1

      6 Minutes ago:

      This is turning into a major selloff — the FTSE 100 is now down a whopping 275 points, or almost 4.5%, at 5914 points.

      • Clemgeopin 6.1.1

        1 minutes ago:

        Dow Jones index tumbles as Wall Street opens

        The Dow Jones index has fallen 485 points at the open of trading in New York…. make that 502 points….

        ….it’s still falling, now down over 900 points, or more than 5%.

        Now it’s down 950 points!

        And the Nasdaq index had plunged by 8.3%…..
        ————-
        FTSE 100 plunges 5.5% amid global rout
        ————

        Bye, good night.

  7. Pat 8

    European stocks face biggest fall since 2009

    It gets worse and worse….

    More than €400bn has been wiped off the value of Europe’s three hundred largest companies today, according to Reuters data, as the selloff continues.

    The FTSeurofirst300 index has now plunged by 4.5%, as stock markets in London, Paris, Frankfurt and beyond suffer heavy selling.

    Euroean stocks at 1pm BST Photograph: Thomson Reuters
    FTSeurofirst300 is now on track for its biggest one-day decline since March 2009, Reuters says.

    The Stoxx 600 index, which includes smaller European firms, is taking even more of a pounding.

  8. Richard@Down South 9

    I wonder what will happen to the derivatives market

  9. Tricledrown 10

    Derivatives will stop trading as they will be worthless ie 2007/8 all over again.
    The big trading blocks will start the printing presses again our dollar will become over valued as we don’t print money so not a pretty sight.
    Key and English have borrowed up to the Max so won’t be allowed to borrow more.
    Commodities will fall further gold will recover!

    • AmaKiwi 10.1

      Tricledown

      I’ll agree with most of your forecast except the part about gold. I expect a temporary recovery in gold. Price bubbles happen when the speculative price of something (gold, AKL houses, whatever) becomes separated from its economic value.

      Gold’s run-up to $1920 USD/oz. was a speculative bubble. Businesses that use gold knew it was never worth that much because at that price they and their customers find substitute materials.

      The experts I read (i.e. industrial users) say the present price of $1,150 is still several times gold’s economic value as an industrial metal. The estimates I read of its economic value are between $300 and $500 an ounce. I suggest you do not buy gold now unless you are very quick to sell it as soon as it starts down again.

      I would not be interested in buying gold much above $350 per ounce. For the same reason I have no interest in owning any property except my own home until prices drop by at least 50% to 60%.

      • vto 10.1.1

        Interesting but incomplete view. You have ignored gold’s historic (long longly historic) position as currency when all else fails (like bits of paper printed by some defunct bank).

      • Lanthanide 10.1.2

        Gold has practically never traded at its pure economic value. To suggest that it should demonstrates you don’t understand gold’s position in trading.

      • Tricledrown 10.1.3

        A speculative bubble funded by the printing of money .
        Lowering the value of the US dollar.
        Inflating the price of gold in other currencies that weren’t devalued as much.
        A double whammy .
        The price declined when the federal reserve slowed its printing presses!

        • AmaKiwi 10.1.3.1

          @ vto
          @ Lathanide
          @thatguynz
          @Tricledrown

          Why was gold at $1920 only 4 years ago? Speculators using credit.

          Today, at $1140, it is still supported by speculators using credit.

          When credit dries up the speculators will ask themselves, “Do we sell the gold or lose the house?” I predict at that point gold will be at $300 to $500 per ounce.

          And Lathanide, don’t insult me when you have no idea who you are talking to.

  10. Colonial Viper 11

    Dow futures plunge 660 pts before open. Black August it is, then.

  11. Tricledrown 12

    Goldman Sachs bailed out again.
    Glencoe bankrupt.
    Headlines next month.

  12. Clemgeopin 13

    4 minutes ago:

    Trump tweets:

    Markets are crashing – all caused by poor planning and allowing China and Asia to dictate the agenda. This could get very messy! Vote Trump.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2015

  13. Clemgeopin 14

    5 min ago:

    Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia, fears that US stocks will keep falling until policymakers get a grip on the situation.

    Luschini says (via Reuters):

    “Until we have some sign that China and the emerging markets aren’t being sucked into some vortex from which they can’t recover … it is unlikely this selloff will stem.”

  14. AmaKiwi 15

    Which derivatives?

    Stock/Share derivatives will be frozen by the respective governments.

    Like 2008, many derivatives will be revealed as smoke and mirrors. They were unregulated in 2008 and so they remain today.

    The difference is that in 2008 there were nations that bailed out their banks that had bad derivatives. Today those countries are so broke they can’t plausible print more money without investors saying, “No thank you. I’m not going to buy Greek government bonds.” Now add to the bad countries list Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, etc.

    This ain’t gonna be pretty.

  15. AmaKiwi 16

    The NZD lost 5.4% against the USD

    in the THREE MINUTES from 1:10 am and 1:12 am this morning, (Tues, Aug 25).

    Expect that kind of volatility during this crash.

    5.4% in three minutes.

  16. ScottGN 17

    A quick look at headlines at some of the major papers and this is leading everywhere except the NZ Herald online, they’re leading with a spat between motorists and windscreen washers. Further proof (if you needed it) that the Herald is now complete and total crap.

    • Raf 17.1

      But how can windscreen washers be more important than Easter Sunday legislation …?

    • Keith 17.2

      The good folk of New Zealand don’t want the downtrodden and the net result of the policies they voted for to rear their ugly little heads in public by trying to earn a buck window washing.

      They have discovered that they bite and they are scary.

  17. mary_a 18

    Many thanks to all the posters to this site, who have kept us up to scratch with what’s going on in the financial markets overnight. Your efforts are appreciated.

    Far more information given here, than through msm, which last time I read, the details had been posted halfway down the page!

    Great work guys. Yet another reason for alternative news sites. Again, thanks 🙂

  18. Ad 19

    Surely a much lower $NZ is good for our exports esp dairy?

    Increase in gold good for mining?

    Immigration and housing shortage will sustain Auckland property price?

    Australasian stocks not worth spooking about when earnings are pretty solid?

    I think the political question for the Opposition is to pressure Nation for an economic plan that transforms New Zealand, as NZHerald has been.

    This doesn’t feel like a GFC. Yet.

  19. les 20

    the U.S stock market is in a correction phase.The P.E’s of companies have been quite ludicrous.Its been just another sponge to soak up QE ,like western RE. and now a few have the jitters.

  20. Stuart Munro 21

    I don’t imagine Auckland property buyers will bail out quickly – more likely is that demand will increase as capital flees tender exchanges like the NZSE.

    If the crisis progresses businesses dependent on consumer liquidity will be hit first – the water trade – restaurants, bars, tourism, transport. Then large layoffs will create a large unwaged population from conventional employment.

    A good day to plant potatoes or buy a sack of rice – just to be on the safe side.

    • Keith 21.1

      Yep, with our dear government doing nothing about it, Auckland’s property market will be promoted as safer than gold!

  21. vertiginous? Great word!

  22. hoom 23

    The headline you won’t see: GLOBAL ECONOMY UNDERPINNED BY CONFIDENCE IN INTERVENTION BY BUREAUCRAT COMMITTEE.

    Thats what I heard from the Radionz interview with the Wallstreet stockmarket reporter
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201767828/billions-of-dollars-wiped-off-world-markets

    No talk about the mighty unseen hand of The Market, no talk about Masters of the Universe, no worries about the mere possibility of Govt intervention, no complaints about introducing distortions into The Market or any of that bullshit, purely ‘what will be the intervention by the Chinese Govt & will it be enough’.

    Truly the world economy is hanging on the decisions of a committee of bureaucrats in the Big, Interventionist, nominally Communist Chinese Govt.

  23. Lanthanide 24

    A local contact who is in the business of importing stuff from China to NZ, said that 12 month ago it cost $2,000 to bring a container from China port to Lyttleton.

    Now, the price is $380, because the ships are empty and there’s unused capacity.

    • Colonial Viper 24.1

      Yep; it’s a sign of how much consumer demand has fallen in Australia and NZ.

      • Keith 24.1.1

        But are we not a Rockstar economy is was it all a lie?

        • Colonial Viper 24.1.1.1

          Clearly

          Also this is the kind of event which leaves the obsolete 1980’s 1990’s “high value export led growth” strategies of our political class high and dry.

  24. les 25

    there are a number of fairly recent NZ IPO’s reminiscent of the companies around pre the 87 crash,that were overpriced and will fall dramatically.The companies big on projections and ‘irrational over exuberance’…that do not make a profit,and are unlikely to in the near future but who usually insist they are sacrificing profit for ‘growth’!(spending $2 for a $,1 of revenue)

  25. Ovid 26

    It’s going to be rough for a while. With the decline in oil and natural gas, Russia is pretty much hosed. Going be his previous Form, Putin is more likely to lash out rather than worry about domestic issues. Australia’s minerals sector has been suffering for a while and we all know about milk here in NZ (I wonder if Chinese mums are breastfeeding more than buying infant formula).

    A lot of workers are going to be losing their jobs. A lot of families are going to suffer. The CEOs and the 1%ers have insulated themselves from this (oh, their net worth may drop, but their living standard won’t).

    I don’t know if this is going to be GFC II, though. I do think it heralds a recession but I’m not yet convinced it will match the collapse of 7 years ago.

    • Colonial Viper 26.1

      It’s going to be rough for a while. With the decline in oil and natural gas, Russia is pretty much hosed. Going be his previous Form, Putin is more likely to lash out rather than worry about domestic issues.

      FFS that’s the US MSM characterisation.

      Go find Putin’s 4 hour long 2015 annual press interview. No questions barred. Judge the man for yourself.

    • thatguynz 26.2

      “Going be his previous Form, Putin is more likely to lash out rather than worry about domestic issues.”

      What absolute tripe. Fuck me, do your OWN thinking man..

      • Ovid 26.2.1

        I see the invasion of Georgia in 2008, I see the annexation of the Crimea. I see the dioxin poisoning of Victor Yuschenko. I see the crackdowns on the press and I conclude Mr Putin is an authoritarian with an ambition to restore Russia’s influence to pre-1991 levels.

        • Colonial Viper 26.2.1.1

          The Georgians tried to fuck up South Ossetia and killed a bunch of Russian soldiers doing so. RUssian forces drove to the Georgian capital to make a point – and drove away again.

          Crimea was annexed because Russia was not about to lose its only warm sea naval base get turned into a NATO installation on its doorstep. That was an utterly defensive move by Russia. No lives lost.

          Yuschenko – many different forces within Russia could have been responsible for that. No doubt, it could have been the Russian secret services.

          Meanwhile – has Russia started any wars in the last decade which has killed or displaced a million civilians?

          • Tricledrown 26.2.1.1.1

            Russia is no different to any other super power.
            Russia is one of the largest arms exporters their weapons are used in every conflict.

            • Colonial Viper 26.2.1.1.1.1

              Correct: there are utterly unscrupulous and amoral operators in the Russian elite, government and military forces.

              But at this stage, the western MSM is blaming Putin for putting his country closer and closer to new NATO military bases, which is absurd.

          • lprent 26.2.1.1.2

            You really should learn to see more than Russian Television propaganda.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Ukrainian_crisis#Crimean_crisis

            During the Crimean crisis from 23 February through 19 March 2014, six people were killed. The dead included: three protesters (two pro-Russian and one pro-Ukrainian),[5][6][7][8] two soldiers[9] and one Crimean SDF trooper.[10] The two Ukrainian soldiers who were killed are regularly included in the military death toll from the War in Donbass.[11]

            Since then the Russians have been running their usual oppressive techniques complete with show trials in their corrupted legal system. For instance
            http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21661032-russia-no-longer-confining-its-abuse-law-its-own-citizens-kremlins-new-show

            THE latest episode in Russia’s long history of judicial travesties played out this week in a stuffy courtroom in Rostov-on-Don, a provincial city near the Ukrainian border. As two defendants sat in a cage behind their lawyers, a prosecutor in dark glasses described them as bloodthirsty Ukrainian radicals who ran a terrorist cell in Crimea in early 2014. They had allegedly plotted to blow up a statue of Lenin.

            The lead defendant is Oleg Sentsov (pictured), a Ukrainian film director, and the supposed terrorist plot is every bit as fictional as his screenplays. Mr Sentsov’s real offence was to oppose Russia’s annexation of his native Crimea, helping deliver food to Ukrainian soldiers trapped on their bases after the Russian invasion. After his arrest, Mr Sentsov says, he was tortured by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). (The prosecution claims his injuries came from sadomasochistic sex.) Mr Sentsov faces a potential life sentence. Dmitry Dinze, his lawyer, estimates his chance of acquittal at “none”.

            You don’t have to look far to find such reports. But you don’t appear to be looking at all – why is that?

            • Colonial Viper 26.2.1.1.2.1

              oh sorry lprent, I see that kind of corrupt and politicised behaviour out of Russia as the Russian norm, not anything to write home about.

              Yes I accept there were a few deaths during the Crimean takeover, but it was not fatalities on the scale of a military invasion.

              Now, let’s compare the deaths which occurred in the Ukranian “colour revolution” funded by the USA.

          • Tricledrown 26.2.1.1.3

            CV You forget the complete annihilation of Checnia.
            Every empire is always flexing its muscles pushing its borders.

        • thatguynz 26.2.1.2

          Rewriting history much Ovid? Do you rely on the MSM for ALL of your news?

    • lprent 26.3

      I do think it heralds a recession but I’m not yet convinced it will match the collapse of 7 years ago.

      I don’t think it will be more than a minor recession. It looks like a pretty classic overshoot that hits hardest in recently opened up stock exchanges like those in China where investors haven’t learned to be careful about debt leverage in purchasing shares and other property. The NZ stock exchange in 1989 for instance is a fine example of the issue.

      There appears to be little that is fundamental in this one. It reflects a slowing in the rate of growth in the world economy that has been quite evident for the last 12 months or so. The Chinese markets kept rising despite the manufacturing, trade and base investments there diminishing. They are readjusting hard and everywhere else is getting the sniffles.

      I think that the biggest effects will be in commodity markets supplying industrial raw materials to China – like Australia and many Asian countries from Mongolia to Thailand. But they have largely had the bulk of the effect already in diminished orders.

      • Poission 26.3.1

        The shanghai bourse has retreated to levels seen in march this year.

        • Colonial Viper 26.3.2.1

          China’s export led economy has been crushed by a lack of western consumer demand growth over the last 2-3 years. People simply cannot afford to buy the volumes of consumer gadgets and crap that they used to, any more.

          Fewer and fewer consumers are credit worthy.

          That’s as real economy as it gets.

          • Pat 26.3.2.1.1

            that and the substantial slowdown in infrastructure investment…China has accounted for 50% of global growth in recent years (and much of the rest on its coat-tails) and that growth is scaling back by a massive amount…..and all the while the rest of the world who have been suppling the wherewithal for this (commodities, industrial machinery/systems) have been struggling for growth to save themselves since the GFC are now faced with even further reduced demand….it dosnt auger well, even with the direct financial implications set aside.

          • lprent 26.3.2.1.2

            Exactly.

            But that is exactly the pattern you normally see country by country when they do overshoots. Production creeps up above consumption.

            In the last few decades we have been seeing this more and more happening globally. Producing regions push capacity above consumer demand in other regions. It overshoots in the markets as well. Then there is an abrupt reversal.

            Why does consumer demand stagnate or even drop? Not just the credit.

            Why in the hell do I need to replace my 2009 HDTV with one that won’t fit in my apartment? I’ll get a much cheaper bluray player as an upgrade. My 1997 Caldina still runs perfectly. But my mortgage debt needs killing otherwise it will be a pain when I retire.

            These are the attitudes of older people, and if there is one thing we are sure of in the western consumers – they are getting older.

            The manufacturing in China and other asian powerhouses has been built on providing cheaper better gear. But at some stage older consumers simply say “good enough”

        • lprent 26.3.2.2

          Don’t be a lazy fool. Read your own link.

          Bad as the 1997 asian flu crisis? “not likely”

          “There is nonetheless good reason for concern, if not for panic. ” .. “The [chinese] government’s ability to manage market gyrations and animal spirits is very much in question, suggesting that a descent into Japanese-style stagnation is a possibility.”

          “The global market rout may also represent a definitive end to the period of rip-roaring emerging-market growth that began around 2000.” … “That hangover may not take the form of a broad financial crisis. A protracted slowdown, however, would be plenty painful enough, especially if weak growth leads to political instability.”

          What they are saying is that is is quite likely to portend a slowdown in growth throughout the world. Something that has been visible for the last 18 months. I suspect that they are right.

          But something like the GFC? Hardly.

          • Pat 26.3.2.2.1

            lmao…whose the lazy fool…where have i stated it is like the GFC…it is however a continuation of the GFC…why did China embark on a loose credit and infrastructure overbuild?
            The pattern may be typical but the circumstances are most definately not…other than China with a reported 7% growth rate the other major economies have struggled to stabilise and grow even with zero interest rates(in some instances negative) and QE…and now the effective last area of growth is scaling back what hope those remaining economies will gain any traction …I reiterate in excess of 50% of global growth post GFC.
            You can cast aspersions on my reading ability if you wish and I shall question the colour of your eyeware

  26. Keith 27

    Wait for it!!!!!!!

    Key will be thanking his money Gods for this. Just when the NZ economy is deflating through Nationals sheer incompetence, along comes something else to blame. Fucking perfect.

    But we are so lucky to have the steady hands of Bill, “Sell it” English and “Honest” John Key to see us/them right!

  27. johnm 28

    The truth is the Planet cannot provide more growth: we have permanently maxed out our credit card with nature, that card is now useless.

    Therefore the markets and governments are living in a fantasy land, the rich are feather bedding their lives by increasing inequality: that is take from the poor.

    ” Meanwhile, we in the west seem to have maxed out government and consumer credit, and that realisation is sending financial markets into fibrillation. With energy resources and credit both stretched tight, that means more economic growth may simply not be possible in the US and Europe, regardless of our opinions about it.
    Advertisement

    If policymakers fail to recognise this and continue assuming that the current debt crisis is just another turning of the business cycle, then we may lose whatever opportunity still remains to avert a crash that could bring civilisation to its knees. Over the short run, this is scary business. Financial markets have a hair trigger, and fears about flagging growth could bring down governments and banks.

    Still, over the longer term there will undoubtedly be life after growth, and it doesn’t have to play out under miserable conditions. With less energy to fuel globalisation and mechanisation there should be increasing requirement for local production and manual labour. We could meet everyone’s basic needs by prioritising jobs in manufacturing and agriculture while downsizing the financial industry and the military. We will also have to reduce economic inequality and corruption (as the rapidly spreading Occupy movement rightly insists). ”

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/nov/30/end-of-growth

  28. Smilin 29

    Now that the money game we have all been concerned about is starting to unravel maybe Keys ego armour will finally admit that the weight of the masses is greater than his power of 1 in his Dirty Politics
    which I believe he,the National party,and all associated with the planning of the coup of the last election will pay this country what they owe
    Isnt strange you could save all your life and have it robbed out of your bank by a financial crash and then see false values of property become the new standard all because of an uncontrolled marketing system which is perpetrated on us with the belief of its infallibility by people who have never created anything but money with no real value in perpetuity

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    52 mins ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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