jjason

Lehman Brothers Take-over: Implications for Financials

I don't know what LFI means either.

I do know some helpful ratios and statistics like: book value, tangible book value, debt to equity, total debt to equity, return on assets, return on investment, gross margin, net margin, dividend yield, etc. They are all important to understand. All of this data must be taken into account...as well as the valuation of the underlying assets on the balance sheet and the liabilities before making an investment decision.

I am only familiar with ACAS and I do believe Malon Wilkes when he said that FAS157 has resulted in the decrease in asset values and that without a market for these assets they are hard to value but since these assets will be held to maturity, ACAS will get their money back.

I trust he is right. ACAS has a total debt to equity ratio of less than one and is selling for less than tangible book value ( ACAS has no goodwill or intangible assets on the balance sheet ).

Long ACAS, no other positions, no short selling at all ( I think short selling should be made illegal ).

An Evaluation of the SEC’s Prohibition on Naked Short Selling

The inept management of the SEC in not doing anything about naked short selling is part of the problem. You probably know about the threshhold list and the fail to deliver statistics.

I would like to see naked short sellers prosecuted for this unlawful practice.

Is Countrywide Financial Headed for Bankruptcy?

This author says more about his fishing trip than he says about banks in trouble. Also, BAC and CFC news is all over the internet.

Tell us something we don't know Chris.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

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www.stopoilspeculation.../

And sign the petition.

What Pushed the SEC to Tighten the Rules - Now?

Does anyone know how to find out who has been involved in naked short selling? Since naked short selling is illegal, why not arrest the people involved in naked short selling?

Shareholders who have not lent their shares are being hurt financially by those people who are shorting shares without having borrowed the shares. This is not only illegal but unfair.

Dividend Yields Soar

I agree with Rapidbenz. ACAS is a well run company. I would also like to add that a BDC must have a total debt to equity ratio of less than 1 to 1. This means that ACAS is not highly leveraged. Also, ACAS has no goodwill or intangible assets on the balance sheet. Finally, ACAS has a stock buyback program and Malon Wilkes has said that a stock price below $25.00 is when ACAS may begin buying back shares.

At the current price, I think ACAS is a bargain.

Long ACAS

Countrywide: California Piles On

Loose guidelines in a poorly regulated industry???

Whatever happened to common sense???

The bankers screwed up because no one was watching them???

WTF hasn't anyone understood the gross mismanagement in all of this???

As Congress and the State AG's attempt to deal with all the ineptitude, dishonesty, deception and outright fraud we are all seeing the results...Stocks crashing, higher unemployment, more homeless, etc., etc.

It reminds me of what happened in 1989-1990...only it will be worse this time.

ETHICS ANYONE !

Bank of America's Parking Meter Play

Do what I did....Find another, better, bank...and cut up your BofA credit card!

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

Eli, In 1974 I did my MBA at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. In finance classes, we did not study Index Funds, Funds of Funds, CDO's, derivatives, futures trading, etc. etc. Some of these "products" didn't even exist in 1974.

Now, we have had salesmen selling stuff that has caused a horrible mess in the world financial structure and as Warren Buffet recently said " It has to take time to work itself out" In the meantime, shareholders and foolish investors around the world are suffering.

How terrible that there is no responsibility in all of the Corporate offices around the world. Even the CEO of Countrywide has not owned up to the fact that CFC's business model was deficient.

Ethics are part of the problem.

We did not have to learn ethics in 1974. Everyone was honest in my class. No one was able to B/S their way through the two year, case study, program. Neither the students or the professors or the dean would allow B/S or a breech of ethics.

Although I enjoy SeekingAlpha for the good information, I too often find terrible articles ( and worse comments ) regarding "products" and behavior that is misleading and downright wrong as well.

You and Judy give us good information. Thanks.

I hope others will follow your good example.

May Take Several Years for the Financials to Work Out Their Kinks

Hans, Thank you for an excellent article.