Over the past few years, everything has been securitized. All kinds of mortgages, car loans and credit card debt was being sliced and diced, packaged and sold around the world to investors eager to leverage and increase their returns. So, how does securitization work? For a light-hearted look at the subject, one reader sent in the following story to demonstrate …
Sunday Musings: A Protective TARP
As I noted in last Friday’s market update, the major banks experienced a week of sharp stock losses causing B of A to look for more help from TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program). Minyanville expanded further on the subject in “Bank of America Huddling under TARP:” The phrase “buyer beware” no longer applies in the American banking system. Last September, …
You Are Not Liked
Dr. Housing Bubble featured an interesting viewpoint in “Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Don’t Like you, Nothing Personal:” In the investing world you learn to expect the unexpected. I think most of us can put our pride aside and realize that we are living in a very different financial world, one that has not been seen in over a generation. …
No Load Fund/ETF Tracker updated through 1/15/2009
My latest No Load Fund/ETF Tracker has been posted at:http://www.successful-investment.com/newsletter-archive.phpA continuation of last week’s downtrend had the bulls heading for the sidelines. All major indexes lost again. Our Trend Tracking Index (TTI) for domestic funds/ETFs remains below its trend line (red) by -9.07% thereby confirming the current bear market trend. The international index now remains -20.73% below its own trend …
Surviving With Humor
The markets took a big hit yesterday as the major indexes lost some 3%. That puts the S&P; 500 back to levels reached last at the beginning of December. Many buy and holders, who had counted on a continuation of the rebound, are certainly disappointed about the market direction so far this year. Sure, I’d be on edge too if …
Who Is To Blame?
Sure, after last year’s staggering losses, it’s only natural to see many investors on the prowl trying to find someone to blame for their life changing portfolio losses. If you were working with a broker or financial planner, and they advised you to hang on to your bullish investments while the trends changed to a bearish scenario, they certainly deserve …