auction rate securities
Reaction to Proposed Market Bailout
The grim reality facing our financial markets has finally hit a low that even President Bush—who has a “let the market police itself” ideology—has decided it’s time to intervene. The cost to taxpayers is going to be enormous, possibly $500 billion. But for those hung up on this concept need to take a step back [...]
U.S. Treasury Department Contracts Out Its Own Job
The U.S. Treasury Department has recently hired Morgan Stanley, an investment bank, to assess how vulnerable the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are to future economic problems, in part by evaluating how much capital the GSEs should have in the future to weather any such similar housing problems. GSEs are [...]
Do Variable Annuities Pose a Systemic Risk?
Variable annuities have grown in popularity over the past couple of years and the downturn in our economy has only intensified retiree’s interest in such products. Variable annuities are essentially an insurance product against down markets by guaranteeing minimum payments (income) to the policy holder regardless if a bear market exists. Usually, a variable annuity [...]
Can I Save My Home?
As we all sit around, glued to our bank accounts, waiting for our stimulus check, the country is hurdling towards an unknown that won’t officially be settled until July. Once the magic “R” word comes out, I would imagine that there is going to be a new shock to the system as a whole. [...]
5 Quick Tips For Milking Your Money in the Market
As we move ahead with this diabolical ARS issue, its becoming more and more clear to me that the way Americans might be best suited for investing is a little more robotic and a lot less emotional. At least on some level. I am guilty of making decisions within my portfolio that are [...]
Auction Rate Securities (ARS)– Where is My Money?
Undeniably, the mortgage lending crisis has spilled over into our broader economy and is now affecting nearly everyone’s pockets. 401(k)’s, which undoubtedly hold many financial stocks, are taking a beating. Foreclosures are plaguing neighborhood property values and gas prices, mixed with a pinch of a declining federal funds rate, are raising the likelihood [...]
