Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Government Bails out AIG

Looks like the United States Government finally realized the financial mayhem that would have been caused if it would have allowed AIG to fail. The government decided to bail out the large insurer by offering them an $85 billion short-term bridge loan.

I guess now most people are wondering why the let Lehman die and not AIG. Well, the answer is obvious. Lehman just doesn't matter. Too many firms worldwide have exposure to AIG and imagine the collapse that would come if it would have failed. Yup, lots of payouts of credit default swaps. Hey, let's not forget that it was the repo market that ultimately put the bullet in Lehman's head.

Well, Uncle Sam, you've saved the world for now . . .

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Monday, September 15, 2008

AIG is the Next to Blow!

With the fall of Lehman and the recent acquisition of Merrill Lynch it now looks like another firm in the financial services industry is about to go under.

Word on the street was that AIG had about 48 - 72 hours to live if it couldn't raise a few billion dollars within this time frame. Well, they were downgraded and have to raise about $75 billion to survive.

The world is dying . . .

"Damn, I told you we should have cashed that damn check!"

COVER OF TODAY'S JOURNAL

Pretty scary stuff


Sunday, September 14, 2008

Bank of America and Merrill Lynch to Merge?


The Wall Street Journal Online reports that Merrill Lynch and BofA are in talks to merge. Personally, I think this sucks; but, if it's for the better good of mankind then let it be.

LEHMAN BROTHERS IS DONE!!!



Barclay's recently announced that they are walking away from talks to purchase the ailing investment bank. Now, with no purchaser, we could be awaiting a market meltdown in the morning.

Curious to see how this plays out . . .