Analysis of:
Gold Gains as Euro Rebounds Versus Dollar; Silver Is Steady (www.bloomberg.com)
The article implies gold's recent price action qualifies it as an alternative investment. However, short-term observations of price action and the relationship of the price of gold and the dollar are not convincing enough to cause one to invest in gold. Trade gold, perhaps, but not invest....
Analysis of:
Economists cut 2008 forecasts for U.S. growth (www.reuters.com)
U.S. economist continue to focus on the domestic economy. True, housing will continue to be a drag on our economy and GDP, but it isn't the entire economy. Exports continue to expand and together with our service economy produce the bulk of GDP. Most economist continue to be too US centric.
Analysis of:
New mortgage measure could help borrowers compare (today.reuters.co.uk)
1. Increased government regulation requiring the new calculations. 2. Increased paperwork for the originators and the loan applicants that they don't understand. 3. Even if we came up with the perfect disclosures, the people that need them the most will not use them.
Analysis of:
Fed Cuts Interest Rates by Half Point (www.forbes.com)
Private forecasters said that worry is not misplaced, given that all but two of the housing downturns that have occurred since the end of World War II have been accompanied by recessions.
Analysis of:
Fed Cuts Interest Rates by Half Point (www.forbes.com)
The only way to put a bubble behind the economy is to reduce the prices low enough to clear out the inventory. Only then, can we move forward. Japan didn't follow the US lead and suffered deflation for 15 years. Is helicopter Ben making the same mistake? The 50 basis point cut may help those with adjustable...
Analysis of:
Banks delay sale of First Data loan (www.ft.com)
1. A hugh loan package Of over 16bn is EXPECTED to be sold to Investors. 2.Highly-leveraged Finanacial activity is exceptionally difficult with the marketplace in complete turmoil. 3.Covenants, Conditions and Concessions for the transaction appear to be unlikely. 3.Higher Interests rates and payments...
Analysis of:
Banks delay sale of First Data loan (www.ft.com)
Bubbles always end by bursting and someone gets hurt. This is the self-regulating aspect of capitalism. The investment banks are not victims, unless it's victims of their own greed. They are going to take a major hit to their earnings and will have to bring a lot of the loans onto their books....
Analysis of:
Credit turmoil has hallmarks of bank run (www.ft.com)
First, the Central Banks have to get the car out of the ditch. The level of interest rates isn't the problem. Rates are still low by historical standards. The liquidity problem in the U.S. is not at the banks; its at the investment banks and hedge funds. This is why cutting the Discount Rate by...
Analysis of:
Credit turmoil has hallmarks of bank run (www.ft.com)
The financial system is experiencing a liquidity squeeze in the asset backed commercial paper and sub-prime mortgage markets. But credit is still available to credit worthy borrowers and no money market fund has broken the "buck." While some investors have withdrawn money from money market funds to...
Analysis of:
"Conduits" in need of a fix (online.wsj.com)
A good deal of the current credit problem can be traced to the rapid expansion of off balance sheet conduits. Banks enjoy special privileges in our financial system. They can attract low cost FDIC insured deposits and have excess to the Discount Window to bail them out of trouble. For these privileges...