The Radford Free Press – Page 400 – All life is problem solving.

Economics / banking, FAS 140, FASB, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Lehman, repos /

Lehman’s Funny Accounting: Who Knew?

March 12, 2010

It looks very much as if the report issued today by the investigators examining Lehman’s last days will roil the waters somewhat. There seems to have been some funny accounting going on in a deliberate attempt to mislead investors and counter-parties. Who knew? The accounting in question relates to the way on which repurchase agreements […]

Economics / consumption, creditors, deficits, exports, fiscal policy, GDP, imports, jobs, recovery, stimulus, unemployment /

Jobs, Trade, and Debt: What’s New?

March 11, 2010

There was a modest flurry of reporting this morning that enables us to take the temperature of the economy. Unfortunately, once again, we are left with a ho-hum feel. This really is a long slow slog. Jobs: The weekly release of new claims for unemployment assistance showed a very modest – 6,000 – improvement and […]

Economics / bailouts, banking, Barclays, JP Morgan Chase, stock market /

Bank Stocks: Proof Times Have Not Changed?

March 10, 2010

Breeze through the financial news and one item will stand out: just how well bank stocks are doing. Today’s headlines at Marketwatch, the perennially pro-business financial media site, are an example. Apparently bank stocks are rallying in expectation of a surge in mergers and acquisitions activity. The boys are back in town. That the banks […]