US Stocks: Set for Crash ?

The Dow Jones Index lost 3.5% on Monday 24th Aug, after an initial plunge 6.4% in minutes in early trading.  Since the 2015 Mid July peak of around 18,000 it has dropped to 16,000.   That is a 16% drop in about 3 months.   It is possible the peaks of 14,000 in 2008 are fast approaching.

Some of us have been anticipating a stock and bond market crash larger than the one in 2008.  The crash in 2008 was a 54% drop from a peak of around 14,000 in October 2008 to 6,500 in March 2009.

The US govt pumped in free money in the form of low interest rates and Quantitative Easing (QE).  This mechanism pushed up the prices of stocks.   However, in the long run this is not sustainable without a growth in the economy.

It remains to be seen if US Govt can use monetary policy to maintain stock market prices, and hence market capitalization.  The Dow Jones, an index of 30 companies has a market capitalization of 4.25 trillion at around DJI of 18,000.  The S&P which has about 500 companies has a market cap of about 14 trillion.   So a 10% drop is a loss of 400 billion in the Dow Jones and 1.4 trillion in S&P market capitalization.  

So basically the US Govt has to pump in about 2 trillion to prop up the DJI and S&P.  That is assuming retail and hedge funds and the like dont panic and keep selling.   That would be like trying to remove water with a bucket when there is 10 foot hole in a boat, a loosing proposition. Then there are secondary dominoes like Credit Default Swaps and Margin calls. That is a whole different article.

So what are the implications for Sri Lanka

• At the first, there will be liquidation of assets (stocks)  in Sri Lanka by foreign investors to cover their losses in the US and other stock markets. So expect drop in Colombo Stock Exchange.
• Possible price increases in agricultural products and machinery.  There are droughts worldwide and ultimately food security is a primary need.
• Possible that foreign investors may comeback into Sri Lanka because it might be a relative safe haven, specially the agricultural sector.

Prostitutes: 3 million College going Women in US

Inequality of income, with predominantly low wage jobs for those who are lucky to have a job and

Vegas_Blondie 32 • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

high rents and exorbitant college fees are forcing women to augment their income by finding a sugar daddy to pay the bill.

Enter SeekingArrangement.com   a website catering to men and women who exchange sex for compensation, like an allowance or paying bills like student loans and rent.  It has 4.5M registered users

• 3.3M Sugar Babies
• 1.2M Sponsors (aka Sugar Daddies & Mommies)
• Average age of Sugar Baby: 21
• Average age of Sugar Daddy/Mommy: 45
• Average Income of Sugar Daddy/Mommy: $500K
• Average compensation: $5K per month

The Economic Relevance of SA - It's where the 1% converges with the 99%.

Earning $500K or more and spending $60K per year on a mistress: this is the 1%.  Needing help with college loans and rent: this is the other 99%.

It's not an online dating website.  If someone wants a relationship or a liaison, there are plenty of other sites like Craigslist and Ashley Madison.

Is it a prostitution website?  According to SA they are not, repeat not, engaged in prostitution.  Their disclaimer: "An arrangement is not an escort service.  SeekingArrangement in no way, shape or form supports escorts or prostitutes using our website for personal gain." 

Seeking Arrangement: A Form of Prostitution, for the 1%.  As a prostitution website, it may not be as explicit as WhatsYourPrice or Backpage, but SA has at its core a business transaction: companionship with extras in return for cash and/or the equivalent.

Mainstreaming Prostitution: Beginning last year, the Bank of England included prostitution in GDP measurements.  According to the Office of National Statistics, prostitution generated $9B a year, adding 0.7% to the UK GDP.  They aren't alone: Sweden, Norway and a few other European countries already include it.  And if you can measure it, you can tax it.  And legalization is necessary for measurement.
Prostitution is legal in most of the developed world.  In fact, of the G20 countries, prostitution is illegal in just 5: China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and, of course, the United States.

From http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-24/less-10-years-federal-reserve-has-driven-millions-american-women-prostitution

Economic Indicators: 2000 to 2015

Data presented without comment. You can click on chart for source interactive data.

              GDP         Change
       (Billion USD)
2000      16.3         
2005      24.4           8.1
2014      74.9         50.5

Change in GDP 2000-2005=49%
Change in GDP 2005-2014=200%

Note:
Comparison of GDP per Capita for India
Comparison of Debt to GDP for the US.
The US GDP also includes intangibles such as films, music, iTunes to GDP, increasing GDP by 3%.
Also see US Debt: $18 Trillion; U.S. Debt/GDP ratio over 300%

 

Negombo Resources: Electrical Contractor

I hired Eric Fernando to do the electrical wiring and fittings to the apartment.  He was recommended by my sister.  Again a knowledgeable, neat efficient work.  I gather Eric also has professional qualifications in Electrical work.

You can contact Eric at 071-404-0423

Negombo Resources: Building Contractor

Got some Building work done by Kumar and ??.  They wore building a two storied house right in front of my apartment. Hired them to do some additions to the apartment.   Good work and very knowledgeable. Enthusiastic work crew.

You can contact Kumar at 077-535-9679

Negombo Resources: Polished Cement/Terrazo Contractor

 I had a good experience working with S. S.  Rajah (077 971 7244) to cut and polish the cement floor at my apartment. Like the other contractors (in other posts) I was lucky.  They all  answered phone or called back.   If they got delayed they informed me.

Good work was a plus and done in a timely fashion.

Negombo 3rd Floor Furnished Studio Apartment

Negombo 3rd Floor Furnished Studio Apartment contact sereno/barr 077-8584009 or sbarrkum@gmail.com (pdf flyer here) Overlooking the Mangroves. Quiet residential area. The balcony faces the mangroves and partial views of the Negombo Lagoon. It is very private and secluded, even while being open and airy. There are no other buildings at this height nearby. i.e. Can have all doors and windows open without having to worry about prying eyes. For those so inclined can work on their tan from the balcony. This is a 3rd floor studio apt of 830 square feet living space (excluding bathrooms, washing machine space, side balconies and loft space). The ground floor is empty and can be used as parking space. The 2nd floor is occupied by a single Female (my sister). There are two bathrooms, one attached to the bedroom and the other open to the mangroves and lagoon. There is also separate space/alcove for a washing machine. There is provision for an air conditioner. Probably not needed as stiff breeze and minimal mosquitoes even though next to the lagoon. There is also a loft (230 square feet) with access by a ladder if needed. Expected Rent: LKR 75,000/month on long term lease

Furniture etc Refrigerator 4 burner stove and oven (gas) Living room sofa etc (old style) Full Size bed Almirah/Wardrobe

Nearby Facilities Keels supermarket (600m) Stadium/Gym (unhappily no pool) 150 m NARA Mangrove Reserve (150 m) Negombo main bus stand (1 km)