Market Comments for March 19, 20081) As I suspected, the first sign of stock buying precipitated a major sell of in commodities. The moves down from the Sunday night highs have been breathtaking. Crude is down from $111 to $103. Natural gas dropped from $10.40 to $9.10. Gold has had its worst day in five
Market Comments for March 18, 20081) The price action of Lehman Brothers these days is frighteningly similar to that of Bear Stearns just before it went bankrupt. In the last week Lehman's share price has dropped from $60 to $20. At the very least this has to be considered a near death experience. Today CEO
Market Comments for March 18, 20081) The price action of Lehman Brothers these days is frighteningly similar to that of Bear Stearns just before it went bankrupt. In the last week Lehman's share price has dropped from $60 to $20. At the very least this has to be considered a near death experience. Today CEO
Market Comments for March 17, 20081) Bear Stearns (BSC) was taken over by JP Morgan (JPM) at $2/share, about 5% of its breakup value of $7.7 billion. It is a virtual total wipe out for the BSC equity holders. JP Morgan stock jumped 10% on the windfall gain. They are getting about $20 billion of
Market Comments for March 17, 20081) Bear Stearns (BSC) was taken over by JP Morgan (JPM) at $2/share, about 5% of its breakup value of $7.7 billion. It is a virtual total wipe out for the BSC equity holders. JP Morgan stock jumped 10% on the windfall gain. They are getting about $20 billion of
Market Comments for March 14, 20081) Put buying on Bear Stearns (BSC) increased tenfold yesterday and so did the stock volume. In every financial crisis it seems that one major institution has to be offered up to the market gods for sacrifice before it ends. Bear Stearns is the most likely candidate this time. Goldman
Market Comments for March 14, 20081) Put buying on Bear Stearns (BSC) increased tenfold yesterday and so did the stock volume. In every financial crisis it seems that one major institution has to be offered up to the market gods for sacrifice before it ends. Bear Stearns is the most likely candidate this time. Goldman
Market Comments for March 13, 20081) Carlyle Capital was the big story today with its default in Amsterdam. These bone heads had $23 billion in bond positions securited by only $650 million of capital, giving them a leverage of 35 times. Good riddance. Expect a lot more bodies like this to float to the surface.
Market Comments for March 13, 20081) Carlyle Capital was the big story today with its default in Amsterdam. These bone heads had $23 billion in bond positions securited by only $650 million of capital, giving them a leverage of 35 times. Good riddance. Expect a lot more bodies like this to float to the surface.
Market Comments for March 12, 20081) The Fed action yesterday is like a cortisone shot for a sick patient. It gives immediate relief, but doesn't cure the disease. Financial problems won't end until house prices stop going down and eroding bank capital. But the Fed has injected $1 trillion in liquidity since December and by