vreporter's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/69965/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/175496-is-dubai-s-default-a-black-swan-event?source=feed#comment-779752 779752 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:22:07 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/161740-citigroup-makes-a-good-move-preparing-to-buy-out-uncle-sam?source=feed#comment-678823 678823 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:39:05 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139546-housing-we-re-about-to-have-a-big-problem?source=feed#comment-517720 517720 Tue, 26 May 2009 08:55:52 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/139568-the-citigroup-pricing-anomaly?source=feed#comment-517683 517683 Tue, 26 May 2009 08:40:46 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/135150-reading-the-stress-test-leaks?source=feed#comment-492887 492887 Wed, 06 May 2009 18:40:05 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/133530-housing-the-ship-is-turning?source=feed#comment-481605 481605 You have made many a great call - Manny Hanny style - but I sure hope you are right about this extrapolating into the metro NYC/NJ market. That would imply a trend change in local employment that is still speeding in the opposite direction!]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:51:58 -0400 You have made many a great call - Manny Hanny style - but I sure hope you are right about this extrapolating into the metro NYC/NJ market. That would imply a trend change in local employment that is still speeding in the opposite direction!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/132314-buying-real-estate-in-the-aftermath-of-the-perfect-storm?source=feed#comment-475490 475490 Ummmm - NO CHANCE!

Deleveraging just doesn't work this way.]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:47:25 -0400 Ummmm - NO CHANCE!

Deleveraging just doesn't work this way.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/131887-who-s-the-newest-riskiest-bank-on-the-street?source=feed#comment-473292 473292 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:19:41 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/131184-the-dow-s-weight-in-gold?source=feed#comment-465784 465784 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:09:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/128248-are-citi-bank-of-america-pushing-prices-up?source=feed#comment-444000 444000 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:16:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/127460-is-bank-nationalization-still-an-option?source=feed#comment-439042 439042 It is an unlikely possibility even as a last resort.
Meanwhile, those very bank stocks have outperformed everything else by MULTIPLES during this ongoing proposal for nationalization.
Well done Felix... you are a true contrarian indicator.]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:47:30 -0400 It is an unlikely possibility even as a last resort.
Meanwhile, those very bank stocks have outperformed everything else by MULTIPLES during this ongoing proposal for nationalization.
Well done Felix... you are a true contrarian indicator.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/127103-citigroup-float-may-experience-dramatic-upside-velocity?source=feed#comment-435366 435366 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00:48 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/125968-accounting-rule-changes-creating-false-rally-in-financials?source=feed#comment-426526 426526
You must be very smart to be that far ahead of the market! Are you a comedian?]]> Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:19:37 -0400
You must be very smart to be that far ahead of the market! Are you a comedian?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/125249-what-the-citi-conversion-might-really-mean?source=feed#comment-422177 422177 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:45:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/125246-citigroup-questions?source=feed#comment-422112 422112
You were not billed in USD. It was converted for display in USD. You were charged because the vendor you transacted with WAS NOT ABLE to bill in USD.

This is definitely the job of the vendor to clarify and you should definitely know who you are purchasing from when making any online transaction.

Your knowledge of such simple matters defies your integrity in covering such important issues in the financial malaise! Maybe you'd do better with a nationalized payment system so that your consumer ignorance was covered by unified regulation!]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:04:31 -0400
You were not billed in USD. It was converted for display in USD. You were charged because the vendor you transacted with WAS NOT ABLE to bill in USD.

This is definitely the job of the vendor to clarify and you should definitely know who you are purchasing from when making any online transaction.

Your knowledge of such simple matters defies your integrity in covering such important issues in the financial malaise! Maybe you'd do better with a nationalized payment system so that your consumer ignorance was covered by unified regulation!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/124510-trading-the-mark-to-market-modification-updated?source=feed#comment-415643 415643 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:27:57 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/121448-too-big-to-bail-lehman-brothers-is-the-model-for-fixing-the-zombie-banks?source=feed#comment-394763 394763
When your solution is worse than the problem, it's time to keep looking. Get a clue!]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:45:10 -0500
When your solution is worse than the problem, it's time to keep looking. Get a clue!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/121147-barron-s-is-way-off-base-regarding-mark-to-market?source=feed#comment-394460 394460 That's what's wrong with the "forced" accounting from MTM.
MTM will be addressed somehow for those conditions.
Cynics and nationalists beware!]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:06:33 -0500 That's what's wrong with the "forced" accounting from MTM.
MTM will be addressed somehow for those conditions.
Cynics and nationalists beware!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/120811-america-s-insolvent-banks?source=feed#comment-391810 391810 Please enlighten us because I get tired of the separation!]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:20:29 -0500 Please enlighten us because I get tired of the separation!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/120751-bill-introduced-to-reinstate-the-uptick-rule?source=feed#comment-391437 391437
Secondly, this bill will have very little lasting impact on the growling bear so don't get too excited about its introduction.]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:21:42 -0500
Secondly, this bill will have very little lasting impact on the growling bear so don't get too excited about its introduction.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/120762-why-bank-nationalization-will-never-happen?source=feed#comment-390580 390580
If our economies are global linked, just how do these regional institutions serve any purpose whatsoever in that regard? Do they acquire the international operations of the so-called insolvent masters?

I find this laughable.

I also find it laughable that many readers here see a comparison of RTC to the current crisis. Obviously, CNBC is a popular source of financial information but any ignorance bred from such dependence is the public's own downfall.

Lehman was a very small piece of the financial puzzle. That alone should make conservatives think. Also, differentiating the investor from the taxpayer is lost upon me.

This author finally looks at the dilemma with these issues in mind. Whether or not nationalization is on the table hardly makes it a viable solution.

Wake up America! Or we will all be experiencing the bread lines we never thought possible.]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:15:03 -0500
If our economies are global linked, just how do these regional institutions serve any purpose whatsoever in that regard? Do they acquire the international operations of the so-called insolvent masters?

I find this laughable.

I also find it laughable that many readers here see a comparison of RTC to the current crisis. Obviously, CNBC is a popular source of financial information but any ignorance bred from such dependence is the public's own downfall.

Lehman was a very small piece of the financial puzzle. That alone should make conservatives think. Also, differentiating the investor from the taxpayer is lost upon me.

This author finally looks at the dilemma with these issues in mind. Whether or not nationalization is on the table hardly makes it a viable solution.

Wake up America! Or we will all be experiencing the bread lines we never thought possible.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/120499-nationalizing-the-u-s-banking-sector-there-s-no-choice?source=feed#comment-388448 388448
Until we get that right, no nationalistic approach is going to understand WHY its a worse solution than the problem!

I think financial bloggers have found their "optimal traffic impact" topic by pushing this button over and over again. It's getting boring!

What happened to Morgan Stanley's insolvency back in September? They now seem to be the darling with the best prospects!

Bank of America and Citigroup will redirect their business models as well - with a lot of help from INVESTING TAXPAYERS. The result will be another horse rising from the dead.]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:21:28 -0500
Until we get that right, no nationalistic approach is going to understand WHY its a worse solution than the problem!

I think financial bloggers have found their "optimal traffic impact" topic by pushing this button over and over again. It's getting boring!

What happened to Morgan Stanley's insolvency back in September? They now seem to be the darling with the best prospects!

Bank of America and Citigroup will redirect their business models as well - with a lot of help from INVESTING TAXPAYERS. The result will be another horse rising from the dead.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/118244-citi-bowing-to-pressure-doubles-down?source=feed#comment-374841 374841
Actually, not at all. Accounting principles in the banking system are a little more sophisticated than that - and they DO get segregated.]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:02:53 -0500
Actually, not at all. Accounting principles in the banking system are a little more sophisticated than that - and they DO get segregated.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/117753-nationalizing-bank-losses?source=feed#comment-372539 372539
Yes, the common consensus is losses totaling 2 trillion.
BUT 1 trillion of it has already been recognized by the banks.
BUT if we are talking about the US banks, only about half (500 billion) of that is attributable. A far cry from the fear-mongering necessity for nationalization.

I might add that there is equal misunderstanding about the "bonus" issue vis-a-vis reality. The President has started an inaccurate sacrificing of the lambs.

Do any of you know what you're talking about?
If you do, where's the debate on mark-to-market accounting, given where we've come from and where we stand now!

Time to wake up to a week of clarification!]]> Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:15:21 -0500
Yes, the common consensus is losses totaling 2 trillion.
BUT 1 trillion of it has already been recognized by the banks.
BUT if we are talking about the US banks, only about half (500 billion) of that is attributable. A far cry from the fear-mongering necessity for nationalization.

I might add that there is equal misunderstanding about the "bonus" issue vis-a-vis reality. The President has started an inaccurate sacrificing of the lambs.

Do any of you know what you're talking about?
If you do, where's the debate on mark-to-market accounting, given where we've come from and where we stand now!

Time to wake up to a week of clarification!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/117690-how-wall-street-keeps-dooming-itself?source=feed#comment-371963 371963
Please correct me if I'm wrong but:
1) We seem to be making much out of the term "bonus" whereas in majority on Wall Street it is a "salary" that's apportioned for various accounting, tax, savings plan issues - as a bonus. I know many back-office and support staff who work for 40k a year at some of the names you have mentioned. The large "percentage" bonus they receive still barely puts food on the table when one accounts for their metro NYC cost of living. So total compensation is actually quite modest and the bulk (not all) of these announced bonuses do apply here.

2) In making comparisons to prior years, I ahven't seen any of these arguments back up with the change in number of workers. I find it hard to believe that Wall Street employed the same number of workers in 2008 as they did in 1985. That would make your math on comparisons, not only poor, but possibly inflated in the wrong direction.

So, living in the metro NYC area is expensive, in general.
The change in the number of workers doesn't correlate with the likely change in bonus totals being scolded.
And the definition of total compensation seems to be lost in the definition of bonus.

Clarifying these points will probably bring you to a better conclusion on this topic. I'm sure there are still many who did receive outrageous and undeserving payments. But those numbers probably wouldn't make the headlines currently underway.

(a consultant to Wall Street on other unrelated matters)]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:19:11 -0500
Please correct me if I'm wrong but:
1) We seem to be making much out of the term "bonus" whereas in majority on Wall Street it is a "salary" that's apportioned for various accounting, tax, savings plan issues - as a bonus. I know many back-office and support staff who work for 40k a year at some of the names you have mentioned. The large "percentage" bonus they receive still barely puts food on the table when one accounts for their metro NYC cost of living. So total compensation is actually quite modest and the bulk (not all) of these announced bonuses do apply here.

2) In making comparisons to prior years, I ahven't seen any of these arguments back up with the change in number of workers. I find it hard to believe that Wall Street employed the same number of workers in 2008 as they did in 1985. That would make your math on comparisons, not only poor, but possibly inflated in the wrong direction.

So, living in the metro NYC area is expensive, in general.
The change in the number of workers doesn't correlate with the likely change in bonus totals being scolded.
And the definition of total compensation seems to be lost in the definition of bonus.

Clarifying these points will probably bring you to a better conclusion on this topic. I'm sure there are still many who did receive outrageous and undeserving payments. But those numbers probably wouldn't make the headlines currently underway.

(a consultant to Wall Street on other unrelated matters)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/116574-should-we-relax-capital-requirements?source=feed#comment-368106 368106 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:34:32 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/116178-is-nationalization-contagious?source=feed#comment-365941 365941
Let me put it this way... you might as well wipe out the financial system and every market in existence. The impact would be the same.]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:01:54 -0500
Let me put it this way... you might as well wipe out the financial system and every market in existence. The impact would be the same.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/116196-against-bank-nationalization?source=feed#comment-365935 365935 Why it has even been debated as an option in the US shows how many misunderstand the US banking structure vis-a-vis UK, for example, let alone Ireland!
The big banks' holes that are only being plugged with govt. funds can be relieved/removed.
There is an optimal compromise somewhere in between since NO solution has a direct fix WITHOUT DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
The big banks stay but their pieces get rearranged amongst themselves, as well as others.]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:53:39 -0500 Why it has even been debated as an option in the US shows how many misunderstand the US banking structure vis-a-vis UK, for example, let alone Ireland!
The big banks' holes that are only being plugged with govt. funds can be relieved/removed.
There is an optimal compromise somewhere in between since NO solution has a direct fix WITHOUT DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
The big banks stay but their pieces get rearranged amongst themselves, as well as others.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/115498-insolvent-banks-why-a-debt-for-equity-swap-won-t-work?source=feed#comment-363699 363699 Because Lehman result was a mistake! The consequences of which we are digging out of, at a far greater cost than that non-action.

Citigroup result of the same kind would make the former dilemma look like a pin-head next to a globe.

Do you get the picture or do you favor a real depression in place of the fear of one?]]> Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:07:14 -0500 Because Lehman result was a mistake! The consequences of which we are digging out of, at a far greater cost than that non-action.

Citigroup result of the same kind would make the former dilemma look like a pin-head next to a globe.

Do you get the picture or do you favor a real depression in place of the fear of one?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/115498-insolvent-banks-why-a-debt-for-equity-swap-won-t-work?source=feed#comment-362253 362253 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:45:11 -0500