Credit Writedowns

The Times of London says that holiday tour operators in the UK are sensing a shift in consumer behaviour because of the credit crunch. Just as the holiday season is getting under way, the strains are clear. Operators are preparing for…

The following are the links regarding the global credit crunch that have been recently added to the Credit Crisis Timeline. The full timeline is accessible here2008 06 09 Lehman Brothers to post $3 bln loss; sets $6 bln stock sale2008 06 09…

Banco Santander, to date, has looked very robust as a financial institution in weathering the credit crisis. Despite significant exposure to bubble markets Spain and the UK, the company has not been required to write down a large amount of…

The word on the street is that Lloyd's TSB, one of the major British banks not hit hard by the mortgage crisis, may be considering a bid for Germany's Dresdner Bank, now owned by the insurance company Allianz. If this sale does in fact…

For those of you who have been reading my blog for some time, you'll know that I believe deflation is the longer term threat to the global economy despite the temporary inflationary pressures. However, I did believe that the Federal…

Hourly wages in the U.S. have not kept pace with inflation in the past 35-40 years. To the degree that U.S. households have been able to maintain higher real household earnings, it is all due to the influx of women into the workforce.…

You kind of saw this one coming. Bank of America is crazy to take Countrywide Financial's balance sheet onto its books. Apparently, S&P Equity Research agrees and correctly downgraded BofA to a sell rating because of the risk. Note:…

The defunct power plant that gave us one of the most famous album covers of all time (Pink Floyd, "Animals") is back. Battersea Power Station is going to get an overhaul to the tune of £4 million.With the price of fossil fuels so high, the…

You probably heard about Morgan Stanley's financial results this past week -- not stellar. What most people seem to be buzzing about is that a rogue trader cost the bank $120 million. The trader has been suspended pending further…

Freddie Mac has reported that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are at an nine-month high. What this will mean for the mortgage market during these critical summer months is anyone's guess. My best guess is that, combined with tighter lending…