Lance on Oct 14 2008 | Filed under: Risk, Valuation, today's links
Yesterday was one fo the best days ever for the stock markets:
What does it mean? I think it ultimately depends on factors unrelated to the move itself. Econompic provides us with some context:
Obviously large one day moves in and of themselves tell us little about what is to come. So, let us at least look [...]
Lance on Jun 20 2008 | Filed under: today's links
MBIA has been downgraded by Moody’s all the way to A2. Ambac is AA3. That makes their insurance useless, and in all probability that means they are now nothing more than vehicles for paying off the claims of their existing contracts. The Muni issuers will terminate their contracts, the underlying credits are already better than [...]
Lance on Feb 24 2008 | Filed under: Housing Market, Latest data, Politics, Risk, economy, indexes, real estate, today's links
We should start out with some humor:
A robber in a ski mask blamed the bank for what he was about to do, The Associated Press reported Feb. 22.
“You took my house, now I’m going to take your money!” the assailant hollered. Talk about a reverse mortgage!
The FBI plans to review the bank’s foreclosure records for [...]
Lance on Feb 15 2008 | Filed under: Economics, Federal Reserve, Hedge Funds, Latest data, economy, today's links
Bad news for the monolines. FGIC just got downgraded today to AA. That pretty much puts them out of the business of insuring municipal bonds.
NYS Commissioner of Insurance has suggested splitting the Muni bond business from the rest of the insurers. FGIC seems to now think that isn’t a bad idea. Of course, since Elliot [...]
Lance on Jan 30 2008 | Filed under: Economic Indicators, Economics, Federal Reserve, Latest data, Risk, today's links
The GDP numbers came out yesterday. For a breakdown, including the inflation component, go here. For the announcement from the BEA go here. The Fed also cut rates by 50bps. Here is the Journal’s story.
Reactions:
Barry Rithotlz- Q4 GDP: El Stinko!
• Consumption slowed to 2% from 2.8% in Q3; I suspect that only partly reflects real [...]
Lance on Jan 25 2008 | Filed under: Absolute Return, Asset Allocation, China, Domestic Equities, Economic Indicators, Economics, Federal Reserve, Global Equity, Hedge Funds, International Equities, Latest data, Risk, today's links
Morningstar takes a look at the Long/Short category of mutual funds. They, like I, appreciate John Hussman.
China turned in yet another double digit year:
China’s economy grew by 11.4 per cent in 2007, the highest pace in 13 years, but the trend of decelerating exports to a slowing US recorded in the final two quarters is [...]
Lance on Jan 21 2008 | Filed under: Developing Markets, Economic Indicators, Economics, Emerging Markets, Federal Reserve, Government policy, International Equities, Market Data, Politics, Risk, monetary policy, today's links
It seems world markets see the stimulus plan in the US as evidence for panic, not joy.
Stock markets around the world plummeted Monday, prompted by pessimism about U.S. President George W. Bush’s plans to boost the U.S. economy.
Share prices in Asia, Europe and the Americas all plunged by significant amounts; Wall Street only avoided joining [...]
Lance on Jan 16 2008 | Filed under: Economic Indicators, Economics, Federal Reserve, Housing Market, Latest data, Market Data, today's links
Can I ask for some applause for this from Crossing Wall Street?
I have to agree with Frederic Mishkin of the Fed:
I think there is too much focus on what decision will be made about the federal funds rate target at the next FOMC meeting. What is important for pricing most financial assets is the path [...]
Lance on Jan 07 2008 | Filed under: Domestic Equities, Economic Indicators, Economics, Employment, Inflation, Latest data, Risk, today's links
To start off James Hamilton reviews last weeks depressing economic data, and its effect on the stock market. Which leads to the next question.
Trying to get defensive? The Wall Street Journal notices some of the same things we have been talking about that make it difficult, while the New York Times picks up on another [...]
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