Bradford Giaimo's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/310434/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-321234 321234

On Dec 04 08:30 PM TL22 wrote:

> AIG has spit in the face of the taxpayer one too many times. The
> $450,000 excursion the executives took 1 week after the first $85
> billion was committed was wrong. This cash bonus thing was also wrong.
> Period. If there was ever a year that an exec. shouldn't get their
> bonus, this is it. And if that means they leave, so be it, good luck
> finding another job.
>
> The short bond trade looks interesting here. Many have been early
> on this trade, I'd be a seller if we get a blow off top type move.]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:37:34 -0500

On Dec 04 08:30 PM TL22 wrote:

> AIG has spit in the face of the taxpayer one too many times. The
> $450,000 excursion the executives took 1 week after the first $85
> billion was committed was wrong. This cash bonus thing was also wrong.
> Period. If there was ever a year that an exec. shouldn't get their
> bonus, this is it. And if that means they leave, so be it, good luck
> finding another job.
>
> The short bond trade looks interesting here. Many have been early
> on this trade, I'd be a seller if we get a blow off top type move.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-320293 320293

On Dec 03 09:10 AM AIG IS A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY. wrote:

> I apologize for the "joke" comment. It is just very upsetting to
> constantly hear the media and pundits bashing AIG for seminars that
> are a necessary part of AIG's or blaming them for giving out bonuses
> to prevent a mass exodus of talent. these companies will not be worth
> anything if the talent leaves. Insurance is built on relationships.
> If the media would stay out of this matter AIG would still be thriving.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:33:36 -0500

On Dec 03 09:10 AM AIG IS A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY. wrote:

> I apologize for the "joke" comment. It is just very upsetting to
> constantly hear the media and pundits bashing AIG for seminars that
> are a necessary part of AIG's or blaming them for giving out bonuses
> to prevent a mass exodus of talent. these companies will not be worth
> anything if the talent leaves. Insurance is built on relationships.
> If the media would stay out of this matter AIG would still be thriving.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-319415 319415 TLT) has risen 13.3% while the S&P 500 has fallen 1.7%. There has been an excessive flight to safety that has not been reflected in equities. I would argue that those considering buying stocks at current levels might instead look at selling bonds. OR, one might consider selling BOTH the bonds and the stocks, looking for a reversion to mean" (Unfortunantly SA left this part out of the articles title.)

Mo matter, as of the close Tuesday it makes sense to close the trade. With the outright short bond being a marginal loser and despite the fact that a short S&P 500/short long-bond trade was profitable, it's time to move on. Let's face it, like you correctly point out, since Mr. Bernanke let it be known yesterday that the Fed may buy treasuries in "subtantial quantities" to aid the U.S. economy, it's safe to say that there will be some nervous "shorts" going forward. For Monday/Tuesday the bonds (TLT) rallied 3.8% and the stocks (SPX) fell 5.3%.



On Dec 01 06:13 PM the author wrote:

> I appreciate your point of view. Its refreshing to hear an opposite
> point of view in a respectful way. Thank you. While it may look that
> way (selling the bonds at these unpreccedented levels) I am not looking
> to be a hero and pick tops or bottoms. right now this trade falls
> within my concepts and stratgies as I explained in the article. In
> accordance with that I will take it. If it dosent work I will get
> out, take the loss and look for another opportunity to sell until
> that view changes. However you have certainly given me food for thought.
> Good luck.]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:48:40 -0500 TLT) has risen 13.3% while the S&P 500 has fallen 1.7%. There has been an excessive flight to safety that has not been reflected in equities. I would argue that those considering buying stocks at current levels might instead look at selling bonds. OR, one might consider selling BOTH the bonds and the stocks, looking for a reversion to mean" (Unfortunantly SA left this part out of the articles title.)

Mo matter, as of the close Tuesday it makes sense to close the trade. With the outright short bond being a marginal loser and despite the fact that a short S&P 500/short long-bond trade was profitable, it's time to move on. Let's face it, like you correctly point out, since Mr. Bernanke let it be known yesterday that the Fed may buy treasuries in "subtantial quantities" to aid the U.S. economy, it's safe to say that there will be some nervous "shorts" going forward. For Monday/Tuesday the bonds (TLT) rallied 3.8% and the stocks (SPX) fell 5.3%.



On Dec 01 06:13 PM the author wrote:

> I appreciate your point of view. Its refreshing to hear an opposite
> point of view in a respectful way. Thank you. While it may look that
> way (selling the bonds at these unpreccedented levels) I am not looking
> to be a hero and pick tops or bottoms. right now this trade falls
> within my concepts and stratgies as I explained in the article. In
> accordance with that I will take it. If it dosent work I will get
> out, take the loss and look for another opportunity to sell until
> that view changes. However you have certainly given me food for thought.
> Good luck.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-319332 319332

On Dec 02 02:17 PM AIG IS A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY. wrote:

> By the way, what does "lavish retreat" mean, putting on a seminar
> attended by 2 AIG employees at a cost of $186 per independent broker?
> Way to cite Brian Ross, he certaintly had all of his facts straight
> when he aired that amatuer video of his. It is a joke that AIG has
> to apologize for every marketing event they sponsor. How are they
> supposed to retain business?]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:37:58 -0500

On Dec 02 02:17 PM AIG IS A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY. wrote:

> By the way, what does "lavish retreat" mean, putting on a seminar
> attended by 2 AIG employees at a cost of $186 per independent broker?
> Way to cite Brian Ross, he certaintly had all of his facts straight
> when he aired that amatuer video of his. It is a joke that AIG has
> to apologize for every marketing event they sponsor. How are they
> supposed to retain business?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-318430 318430

On Dec 01 03:53 AM Aly-Khan Satchu wrote:

> I would take the other side of your Trade. I feel we live in simply
> unprecedented times and the reversion to the mean idea is a mistaken
> one in this context. We are asphyxiating asset prices via the withdrawal
> of credit. This is not a small one time thing but a major long term
> one.
>
> I would urge you to look at Japan post bubble as the precursor to
> what will eventually play out. Moreover, the only real tool in the
> tool box for resuscitating the Banking sector is going to be via
> a steepish yield curve, a positive carry environment [and the carry
> will get a lot juicier when Fails are punished which I am sure is
> imminent] and ultimately via a Bernanke put. By that I mean Bernanke
> will have to underwrite the yield curve via outsize buying [as and
> when required].
>
> I think the tectonic plates have shifted in this regard and very
> little can jolt this trend.
>
> Aly-Khan Satchu
> rich.co.ke/]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:13:11 -0500

On Dec 01 03:53 AM Aly-Khan Satchu wrote:

> I would take the other side of your Trade. I feel we live in simply
> unprecedented times and the reversion to the mean idea is a mistaken
> one in this context. We are asphyxiating asset prices via the withdrawal
> of credit. This is not a small one time thing but a major long term
> one.
>
> I would urge you to look at Japan post bubble as the precursor to
> what will eventually play out. Moreover, the only real tool in the
> tool box for resuscitating the Banking sector is going to be via
> a steepish yield curve, a positive carry environment [and the carry
> will get a lot juicier when Fails are punished which I am sure is
> imminent] and ultimately via a Bernanke put. By that I mean Bernanke
> will have to underwrite the yield curve via outsize buying [as and
> when required].
>
> I think the tectonic plates have shifted in this regard and very
> little can jolt this trend.
>
> Aly-Khan Satchu
> rich.co.ke/]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-318427 318427

On Dec 01 12:30 PM raytayzmd wrote:

> ...if the people getting the bonuses accomplished things that made
> the company money then, by all means, give them bonuses...your analysis
> of bonds might carry more weight if you published your track record
> on your website...as it is your website is just a meaningless billboard
> offering services...and I see as I'm typing this you're losing money
> on your RJYUX trade.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:00:26 -0500

On Dec 01 12:30 PM raytayzmd wrote:

> ...if the people getting the bonuses accomplished things that made
> the company money then, by all means, give them bonuses...your analysis
> of bonds might carry more weight if you published your track record
> on your website...as it is your website is just a meaningless billboard
> offering services...and I see as I'm typing this you're losing money
> on your RJYUX trade.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/108495/comments?source=feed#comment-318415 318415

On Dec 01 08:24 AM jbde wrote:

> Bashing companies for recognizing their top talent based on industry
> standards is ludicrous. Just because AIG is getting public funds
> does not mean they should not pay their personnel and reps as is
> custom. So you would rahter see them lose their top producres to
> competitors and insure that the public does not get its money back?????
>
>
> Perhaps you should be a congressman - they seem excellent at grandstanding
> petty things - even the use of corporate jets. CEO's time is valuable;
> and, flexibility and the use of a mobile working environment is just
> and proper.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:41:32 -0500

On Dec 01 08:24 AM jbde wrote:

> Bashing companies for recognizing their top talent based on industry
> standards is ludicrous. Just because AIG is getting public funds
> does not mean they should not pay their personnel and reps as is
> custom. So you would rahter see them lose their top producres to
> competitors and insure that the public does not get its money back?????
>
>
> Perhaps you should be a congressman - they seem excellent at grandstanding
> petty things - even the use of corporate jets. CEO's time is valuable;
> and, flexibility and the use of a mobile working environment is just
> and proper.]]>