GLG News in Financial & Business Services

The prior several years have definitely been a severe downturn (stating the obvious) in the destruction of existing housing prices. Bloated inventories, overextended borrowers, lack of decent funding, macro economics, lack of faith in the valuations have all contributed to this mess. But it definately is a cycle, and cycles CHANGE.

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) have a lot of money. So they can buy advice. What they do with it is another matter. Investing in Blackstone was investing in a reputable firm at a bad time. So short term the investment looks bad. Long term is the the time horizon of SWF and in the longer term it may turn out fine.

Write downs are not actual losses and a mark-to-market loss is not a cash loss. Widening spreads in the credit default market, although real, must be recognized for what they are; namely, market monetization of perceived risks compared to recent backwards looking asset and cash flow valuations. Recovery in the general credit market should produce non-cash reported earnings increases starting in 2009...

Imlpications: 1.An appearance of the Lack of Economic Growth Opportunities in the Domestic Markerplace has caused a drop in premiums and, hence, profits. 2.The two (2) salient issues the demographic changes in population and economic growth. 3.A rapidly aging in the country's population may be the motivating factor for considerations given to the conversion to stock ownership to enhance finance acquisitions....

Implications: 1.The Causation of further losses : the Sub-prime Mortgage Crisis. 2.A Major change in Management to salvage the Net Losses of the Shareholder. 3.Net Money Outflows far exceed Cash Inflows - the Ultimate affect is Major Write-Downs by the Insitution. 4.Causation: Deterioration of a continuating Credit Market Turbalance - U.S residential Real Estate and the overall Credit Crisis....

Reporst like this are factual no doubt, however this cycle of price falls and lending falls by banks will continue in my opinion until confidence returns.

Yes, it is a mess - I have seen about 3 or 4 cycles such as these over the last 30-years.  We have all seen this mess coming years ago. In 2004, a vast amount of mortgage originators were doing some very creative things to sell mortgages. HEOPA and high cost was in effect while these negative equity mortgages were written. But, if a measure of a trillion dollars markdown against the...

1. Corporate India creating more opportunities for business for the Indian financial sector. 2. Investment banking in India is at a nascent stage.

The world wide credit crunch is being felt in Spain. Owners can't afford their mortgages and are moving back to thier home countries but HAVE to sell. Bargains are to be had, you just have to find them!!

Spanish property in some areas has increased by 20% or more per year but not any more. Shrewd investors are taking stock and purchasing cheap Spanish property with a view to a future gain. Developers and promoters are offering massive discounts and offers to buyers to sell properties they may end up paying taxes on if not sold. These offers can be hugh and by playing hardball money in the hand is...