Wanda Sykes Bailout Plan Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Investing Humor.add a comment
Someone just sent us this link and it’s definitely worth a look – quite funny!
Unfortunately, the embed function has been disabled so you”ll have to click here to go directly to the YouTube page.
Enjoy!
Nassim Taleb: words of wisdom Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Miscellaneous.add a comment
Once again, Taleb tells it as it is.
He argues that the banks are essentially like utility companies, as they perform essential functions like the safeguarding and availability of your capital and this implies that they simply cannot be entrusted with risk taking.
Risk taking should be limited to special vehicles (i.e. hedge funds) that do not endanger the system and do not need/ask to be bailed out… essential creating a two tier system:
You can see the whole video – Nassim Taleb and Daniel Kahneman: Reflection on a Crisis – here.
We strongly recommend the whole video as is it really fascinating. Furthermore, you get the added benefit of Daniel Kahneman, which is a big treat!
Enjoy!
Mike Mayo is Back! Monday, April 6, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in finance.add a comment
Mike Mayo is back and he is still exposing the weaknesses of the banks and the troubles they are facing.
He initiated coverage of 11 large banks and gave all of them “underperform” or “sell” ratings – here are some of his calls:
- Bank of America – underperform
- Citigroup Inc – underperform
- JPMorgan Chase – underperform
- Comerica Inc – underperform
- Wells Fargo & Co- underperform
- BB&T Corp – sell
- Fifth Third Bancorp – sell
- KeyCorp – sell
- SunTrust Banks Inc – sell
As you can imagine, he is not very optimistic and focuses on his belief that loan losses will eventually be bigger than those we had at the time of the Great Depression.
With earning season coming up and what are definitely not going to be pretty numbers, investors should prepare themselves for some sideways trading ranges that could be pushed decisively lower on further bad news.
Economic Cycle Clock Friday, April 3, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Investing.add a comment
We were discussing this with one of our readers and thought that it might be a good idea to post it for the benefit of all:
Warren Buffett & Bill Gates: Questions & Answers Thursday, April 2, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in CEO Interviews.add a comment
Here is an interesting segment with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates answering questions from college students.
Questions range from investing advice, flat tax rate, success, failure and how much money they carry in their wallet…
As always, they are very inspiring and full of wisdom and humor!
FT Macromaps Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Miscellaneous.add a comment
If you still haven’t seen this resource on the FT site, we recommend you check it out by clicking: here.
It is part of the Markets Data section and you can also get similar graphical displays for currencies.
The interesting thing is that you are just a couple of clicks away from a really good and visual picture of the global situation and performance
Enjoy!
Lula’s Rant Friday, March 27, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Rants.add a comment
We are not big fans of Gordon Brown but we did feel for him when he had to sit next to President Lula while he ranted on about the current crisis.
At this stage of the game, we should not be surprised but we do feel it is a shame that someone like Lula (who appears to have done a good job in Brazil) publicly rants in this way, especially before the G20 meeting…. here are some of his comments:
- “I am not acquainted with any black bankers. This is a crisis that was caused by people, white with blue eyes. Before the crisis they looked like they knew everything about economics … Now they have demonstrated they don’t know anything about economics.”
- “As I do not know any black or indigenous bankers … I can only say it is not possible for this part of mankind, which is victimized more than any other, to pay for the crisis.”
- “It is a crisis caused and encouraged by the irrational behavior of white people with blue eyes…”
We are not going to waste any time trying to counter these comments… In any case, expect some interesting discussion at the G20!
DeSantis: from inside A.I.G. Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Miscellaneous.add a comment
Some of you might have heard about this and it is well worth the read – at least you can get the other side of the story.
Jake DeSantis, an executive V.P. of A.I.G.’s financial products unit, tenders his resignation letter to Mr. . Liddy.
“… But you also are aware that most of the employees of your financial products unit had nothing to do with the large losses. And I am disappointed and frustrated over your lack of support for us. I and many others in the unit feel betrayed that you failed to stand up for us in the face of untrue and unfair accusations from certain members of Congress last Wednesday and from the press over our retention payments, and that you didn’t defend us against the baseless and reckless comments made by the attorneys general of New York and Connecticut…”
Link to letter on the NYT page: here.
Bull or Bear Rally? Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Investing.add a comment
After another 7.1% gain in the S&P yesterday, it looks like the markets may be ready for a little pause. But the big question is if we have indeed reached the bottom or if this is just a bear market rally?
Even though the market actually broke above its 50-day moving average, we are still struggling to understand all this optimism.. we may be wrong but we can’t help the feeling that this is just a speculative push to the 850 area and that we will then have to wake up and smell the coffee, probably whilst looking at an S&P back below the 600 level.
There are too many unanswered questions on the current situation and on the way forwards for the bulls to solidly take control here and if they do, we feel that, it would be sad proof that we haven’t learned anything from these past years….
Obama: Tonight Show – part 3 Friday, March 20, 2009
Posted by ei-forum in Miscellaneous.add a comment
Here is the 3rd and last part:
Stumble It!
Explore Investors Blog Network
