- Lehman Brothers
- Larry Kudlow
- Lawrence Yun
- Lereah, David
Lehman Brothers: A super-hot machine
Fuld's modus operandi has been to bind his employees' fates together—to turn the culture from one of sibling rivalry to cooperation and teamwork. His tool: money.
Halloween, 2007
Despite the Gloom, More Bush Boom
The print and broadcast media do not give President Bush much credit for his economic policies. But somehow I have to wonder whether low unemployment, strong growth, negligible inflation, and record stock markets do not deserve just a bit of praise.
It is still the greatest story never told. - Larry Kudlow
Today
Top economist says state housing market is "whacked"
You have a situation in New York where you have more people with jobs and more people living in the state than 10 years ago. Affordability conditions are very similar, yet home sales activity is much lower. So something is out of whack, and what is out of whack is the buyers’ lack of confidence. - NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
March 3, 2005
Why NAR's David Lereah Believes The Housing Boom Is Far From Over
I believe that in years to come historians will see the beginning of the 21st century as the 'golden age' of real estate. - NAR's Former Chief Economist David Lereah
All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
Low rider knows every street yeah
Low rider is the one to meet yeah
Low rider don't use no gas now
Low rider don't drive to fast
Srag,
ReplyDeleteThat 5 year tip looks mispriced based on the 5 year t-bill yield. Somehow, I don't think inflation is going to average 1% over the next half decade.
Not unless billions of penquins in Antarctica are willing and able to work for less than the Chinese.
Could happen.
The FED and Treasury are telling us that their really was never any chance that the complicated CDS and other shadow banking gear would be effective in a crisis, it simply existed to create the illusion of capital.
ReplyDeleteMAB,
ReplyDeleteThat 5 year tip looks mispriced based on the 5 year t-bill yield. Somehow, I don't think inflation is going to average 1% over the next half decade.
Didn't you get the memo? Inflation was going to average 1% over the next half decade. Somebody dropped a pin while everyone was holding their breaths though and the unexpected sound caused someone to gasp.
http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html
Craziest lookin' parabola I've ever seen. Looks more like a blastoff. The $780 an ounce sure thing suddenly turned into an $840 an ounce sure thing.
anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThe FED and Treasury are telling us that their really was never any chance that the complicated CDS and other shadow banking gear would be effective in a crisis, it simply existed to create the illusion of capital.
Great terms.
You can't offer a NINJA loan without wearing shadow banking gear. I'm fairly sure that's a rule.
There's nothing more disturbing than seeing the illusion of a sound Capitol attempting to bailout the illusion of sound capital.
I'm fairly sure two illusions won't make a reality.
The more transparency we see in the banking sector, the more investors are hoping for the return of obfuscation!
Stag,
ReplyDeleteSomebody dropped a pin while everyone was holding their breaths
That's about the size of it. I've been amazed for the longest time at how this clap trap debt bubble could only hold together.
If wall street ever comes to my way of thinking, asset values could really plunge. Who's to say houses can't fall back to 1998 levels. Stocks have and they are still over-valued on a historical basis.
To inflate or not to inflate, that is the question.
MAB,
ReplyDeleteTo inflate or not to inflate, that is the question.
I went out to the garage this morning. One of my tires has a nail in it. I didn't try to inflate. It wouldn't have done much good. I replaced it with the spare instead.
Do we have a spare economy in the trunk? If not, I think I'll remain bearish.
Insurer’s gift: $5 million to Grady
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/stories/2008/09/07/grady.html
“These people may be working or not working, but they don’t qualify for public assistance and they don’t make enough to have insurance or pay for the services,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, interim president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia.
The spare economy is taking a toll on the hospital.
Oh crap. We already used the spare economy. I guess the trunk is empty. Now what?
I think I'll remain bearish.
ReplyDeleteNo joke! I think a lot of people are going to become and then remain bearish. Realizing you've borrowed and spent too much and that your future prospects are diminished will do that.
Even though I'm in 100% government backed short term investments, I don't feel secure. The money for the bailouts has to come from somewhere. That somewhere will likely be the prudent savers.
Stag,
ReplyDeleteA lot of kids are using the word "poned" lately. New slag I think. Very apropos.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poned
MAB,
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm in 100% government backed short term investments, I don't feel secure. The money for the bailouts has to come from somewhere. That somewhere will likely be the prudent savers.
There's hope it will be the prudent savers' grandchildren. That's been the governments plan for decades so one can hope that the trend will continue. I say hope somewhat tongue in cheek. I don't have grandchildren. I don't even have children. Further, sustaining the unsustainable hasn't been working out so well lately.
I don't think this is entirely a coincidence. I've been concerned about the economy for over a decade. Back then, if I had known the 10% returns were sure things and not just suspected illusionary sure things, I might actually thought I could retire AND have kids. Some might tell me that I'm missing out on all the joys of parenthood. That might be true. Ignorance is still bliss though. Just imagine how much toilet paper I'd be thinking of hoarding with a full family.
As for pone, that's amazing. I'm tempted to think that there aren't any original thoughts left, much like there doesn't seem to be many safe investments left.
Stag,
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm in 100% government backed short term investments, I don't feel secure
I'm looking at what I wrote and realize that it is inaccurate. I still own stock index funds - legacy investments from better times. Needless to say, that part of my net worth is getting poned in a seriously serious way. If things go where I fear they might, my long term stock returns might trail you toilet paper investments.
Perhaps even I was clinging to smidgeon of hope.
transparency is going to kill the illusion of wealth in America not sure we can handle the end of the Designer lifestyle. I was just getting use to the idea that every worker employed or not should own a large boat/ATV/Race horse/large estate/vacation often/retire early, i guess that will be up to another generation.
ReplyDeleteMAB,
ReplyDeletePerhaps even I was clinging to smidgeon of hope.
It is another Jack Handey day.
I bet a funny thing about driving a car off a cliff is, while you're in midair, you still hit those brakes! Hey, better try the emergency brake! - Jack Handey
Don't worry, we're all bagholders now.
If there's ever an amusement park called Bag World, I bet it would really start to annoy you after a while how they really sort of stretch the definition of 'bag.' - Jack Handey
Stag,
ReplyDeleteDon't worry
I don't see any need to worry. I mean, our economy and banking system are "strong."
Now if Bush comes out and tries to re-assure the markets, then I'll be worried. If Cheney comes out, I'm going to hard goods.
anonymous,
ReplyDeletetransparency is going to kill the illusion of wealth in America...
If you're an ant, and you're walking along across the top of a cup of pudding, you probably have no idea that the only thing between you and disaster is the strength of that pudding skin. - Jack Handey
The old-timers around here still shake their heads and chuckle about that city slicker who came through, trying to peddle 'hair restorer.' He took everyone's money in a poker game, so when he tried to sell the bottles of hair restorer, nobody had any money left to buy it! - Jack Handey
MAB,
ReplyDeleteIf Cheney comes out, I'm going to hard goods.
If Cheney comes out, I'm going to kevlar.