Epsilon Theory Logo

No Time to Die: China Banks Edition

Marc Rubinstein

October 7, 2021·5 comments·In Brief

Subscribe Today to Read More

Unlock instant access to this and hundreds of other evergreen essays that explore the world of narrative through hard science and human wisdom.

  • Make more informed decisions as an investor and citizen.
  • See through the nudges of Big Politics and Big Media.
  • Become a better consumer of news.
  • Maintain your autonomy of mind in a swarm of narratives.
  • Join a community of more than 100,000 truth-seekers.

Looking for Deeper Insights?

Unlock exclusive market intelligence, trade ideas, and member-only events tailored for investment professionals and active investors with Perscient Pro.

VISIT PRO
Spiral
oct 2021
In Brief

Comments

psherman's avatar
pshermanabout 4 years ago

An Excellent review & history of the Chinese banking/ financial/government system.
Thank you

I was expecting a more conclusive ending however.

My “free market/capitalism is the best form of economic growth” and “ government led policy eventually screw it up” instinct is telling me that this will end badly for China. That either a

  1. Lehman Moment occurs ( downplayed by many very smart people) or
  2. A Semi-Permanent reduction in growth for China ( as their primary source of growth and funding for local government is gone)

And the recent rapid increase in hostilities toward the West is the standard modus operandi for governments that know their economy is in trouble and want to distract the people to blame the “outsiders” ( the West)


Zenzei's avatar
Zenzeiabout 4 years ago

An efficient resource allocation system for an economy is the best way to foster economic growth,

“free market/capitalism” is our brand of resource allocation and it seems to be failing the “efficient’ requirement given where capital is going these days (“i am looking at you junk-bond market!”)

China is dealing with a new set of variables and tools (robotics, AI, high bandwidth comms) that should cause us to question our assumptions about the efficiencies inherent in centrally planned economies.

In other words - I am not sure that China is destined to fail simply because the approach they have taken hans;t worked in the past.


psherman's avatar
pshermanabout 4 years ago

To clarify, I do not think the USA is currently operating in a pure free market/ capitalism system . Probably never has.
But probably we are farther away, in peacetime, of free market principles than we ever have been.
I happen to lay the bulk of this misfortune at the feet of the Mandarins at the Federal Reserve but there is plenty of blame to go around.

I am of the belief that a Command and Control, Autocratic , No Democracy system like seen in China is destined to ultimately fail.
Central Planning simply does not work, no individual or group can possibly make resource allocation decisions as well as a decentralized approach, even as flawed as our system currently is.


PhilipAtticus's avatar
PhilipAtticusabout 4 years ago

Excellent post. I’m wondering if this is analogous to what happened in Japan after the crazy asset price and equities rise of the 1980s. Will China endure a decade+ of stagnation? Or is its export growth machine and Communist Party control over the economy strong enough to continue this element of growth, buying time to work out debt in property, local government, shadow banking and banking?


jpclegg63's avatar
jpclegg63over 2 years ago

Bumping this as another August is filled with Chinese Property developers making headlines. Country Garden missed a coupon and is mulitiples of the size of the Evergrande failure (2021 vintage stress). The stock has been in freefall, with typical bouts of short covering on rumors of state support. Most importantly, the bonds I just saw flash across Bloomberg were quoted at sub 10 cents and another at 13 cents. In spite of Western hopes that these developers would get a state bailout, not a single one has gotten support since Evergrande.

Poor Chinese data was part of the upset US markets faced at the open today. This not only never healed it is getting worse.

Continue the discussion at the Epsilon Theory Forum...

psherman's avatarsystem's avatarZenzei's avatarjpclegg63's avatarPhilipAtticus's avatar
5 replies

DISCLOSURES

This commentary is being provided to you as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. The opinions expressed in these materials represent the personal views of the author(s). It is not investment research or a research recommendation, as it does not constitute substantive research or analysis. Any action that you take as a result of information contained in this document is ultimately your responsibility. Epsilon Theory will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. Consult your investment advisor before making any investment decisions. It must be noted, that no one can accurately predict the future of the market with certainty or guarantee future investment performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Statements in this communication are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are as of the date of this publication. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. The views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. Epsilon Theory disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities. This commentary has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Epsilon Theory recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.