Main News

 

 

 

 

Global Issuers
Where The Credit Markets And U.S. Economy May Be Heading In 2008
There are plenty of reasons to expect tough going in the global credit markets in 2008. The liquidity squeeze may not be over yet, and the possibility (though not probability) of a U.S. recession looms. How bad will credit market conditions get? When can we expect a recovery? Will government intervention help? Will structured finance bounce back? The answers vary by sector, and the prospects for credit ratings aren't necessarily dire, but, except for sovereigns, at least the first half of the year ahead looks pretty thorny for borrowers, lenders, issuers, and investors in fixed-income securities.
http://standardandpoors.rsys1.net/servlet/cc5?kHiQASAAQTVsLgHxhilpuHQJhuV2VU

 

Senior CDO classes could see upgrades - Moody's
Reuters - USA
More than 50 CDOs have seen an "event of default," or EOD, after falling market values and downgrades reduce protections for bondholders, Moody's said. ...
See all stories on this topic

 

Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Introduction
January 8, 2008 1753 GMT
This is the introduction to Stratfor's Annual Forecast for 2008. Following the introduction are links to each regional section of the 35-page forecast.
http://www.stratfor.com/forecast/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war

 

With the current credit market environment providing a volatile backdrop for their remarks, the panel addressed a wide range of questions on the minds of investors, including how they can take advantage of market weakness, whether the U.S. can avoid a recession in 2008, why investors need not worry about making a choice between “growth” or “value” stocks and the impact of current market conditions on bank loan products.

Full Story...

 

Comparing dynasties
Pakistan's Bhuttos can never be its Nehru-Gandhis
Full article

 

All the Way for Triple-A MBIA outlines new effort to bolster capital. Read More

 

Tax Rebates to Fight Recession?
Despite mounting signs that the economy may be screeching to a halt, President Bush has not proposed much in the way of a concrete response. Read More

East Asia:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- East Asia
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_east_asia

Europe:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Europe
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_europe

Former Soviet Union:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Former Soviet Union
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_former_soviet_union

Latin America:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Latin America
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_latin_america

Middle East/North Africa:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Middle East
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_middle_east

North America:
Net Assessment: United States
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/net_assessment_united_states

South Asia:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- South Asia
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_south_asia

Sub-Saharan Africa:
Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War -- Sub-Saharan Africa
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/annual_forecast_2008_beyond_jihadist_war_sub_saharan_africa

 

Tuesday , 08 Jan 2008
Gold stocks are found almost everywhere: from the deserts of Sudan the wilds of Borneo, to the vineyards of Bordeaux; on the road to Mandalay; from Bombay to Santa Fe.

 

See how betting on consolidation among listed exchanges has been a profitable strategy for event driven hedge funds and debate whether this more competitive environment will be good for hedge funds as end consumers?  Please click on this link to access our web site and read the Hedgeweek Special Report on Derivatives Exchanges 2008.

 

AP1 appoints new chief
http://www.ipe.com/news/AP1_appoints_new_chief_26660.php

 

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Yield Curve Corner

 

Street Could See Calm After Storm
Forbes - NY,USA
Wednesday will be light on economic data, but investors are already looking ahead to Thursday, when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is due to speak in ...
See all stories on this topic

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Natural Disaster Corner

 

Climate Prediction  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/predictions.php

World Meterological Organization http://severe.worldweather.org/

Tornadoes: http://www.disastercenter.com/tornado.htm

Great Sat Pictures of events: http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Current/UNIflorida009_G12.jpg

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Iranian Situation and Other Man Made Disasters

 

Ebadi protests amputation punishment in Iran
AFP via Yahoo! News Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:21 AM PST
Nobel peace prize winner Shirin Ebadi's rights group on Wednesday protested against the amputation of hands and feet as a punishment in Iran, warning of "new dimensions" in rights violations.

 

Saudi Arabia: Iran Relations Top Priority
January 9, 2008 1451 GMT
Continued dialogue with Iran is a priority for Saudi Arabia's foreign policy, IRNA reported Jan....
http://www.stratfor.com/sitrep/saudi_arabia_iran_relations_top_priority

 

 

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Opalesque’s Corner

 

- Asset Alliance in reverse merger with
Tailwind Financial to become first US publicly traded company focused on
acquiring interests in and seeding alternative asset managers
- Opalesque Exclusive: R. G. Niederhoffer programm up 29.4%, JPMorgan, Renaissance trail hedge-fund gains in 2007,  Top and flop Asian hedge funds
- Indices: HF.net: Hedge funds up +0.89% in December,  +10.85% for 2007, Hedge funds turn in strongest year vs. market since 2002,Hennessee Hedge Fund Index up 0.3% in December, HFRX indices December and year end 2007 performance, DMX was the top performing AI-Index in 2007
- Up 25%: Some Bear hedge funds perform well despite turmoil, Bear Stearns may become takeover target amid unrest, Bear Stearns seen making few changes with Cayne as chairman, Bear better off without Cayne,  Background on Cayne: still 5% shareholder, Bear`s next chief: A banker
- New Launches: ETG Capital fund begins trading, Bulldog preps SPACs hedge fund, Antara Asset Management launches Indian hedge fund
- `Vulture fund` founder Singer helps back Giuliani bid
- SEC mulls hedge-fund minimums, still sifting through public input
- US bank Countrywide forced to deny it is bankrupt
- Gold climbs to record as investors seek alternative asset
- BarCap co-president Kvalheim resigns
- Energy Capital plans French and U.K. power trading
- Carbon Trading Fund shuts on lack of money, DAXglobal Agribusiness Index up 90.02% in 2007, Nuclear Energy Index Up 1.07%
- Opalesque Exclusive: Spanish FoF acquires UK firm
- Merrill investor survey: $1 trillion in 130/30 by 2011
- People: HF administrator Conifer Securities names new CEO, Japan: ACAM Advisors with new CEO, Masahiko Furukawa leaves Zest
- Citi Alternative Investments names Jack Lew COO, Citigroup looking at axing 32,000 jobs, Citigroup to take $16bln writedown, Merrill says
- NY Hedge fund marketers announce new firm
- Californian pension schemes face $118bn shortfall in retiree healthcare benefits over next 30 years
- Credit derivatives may lose $250bln, Gross says, UBS CEO says risk exposure cut significantly
- Comment: Bankers` pay is deeply flawed
- Jack Treynor is 2007 IAFE / SunGard Financial Engineer of the Year
- Events:  Cass Business School and Capco Institute invite for inaugural annual London risk conference
- Hedge portfolio fundraisings to thrive in tough `08
- Sarkozy to use state fund to defend French companies against sovereign, hedge funds: `No question of France not taking action`
- West finds ways into Saudi growth story
- Top ten European, Asian hedge funds boost assets to $167bln, 13.7bln
- Japan: Few have a yen to invest in Japan, Blogger suggests dedicated short Japan hedge funds,  Japan`s new rich party like it`s 1989
- Australian regulators makes Basis failure a study of risk
- Activist News: U.S. shareholder activism up in 2007, Costa Brava hedge fund dealt blow in Maryland court,  Atticus Capital clarifies position in Deutsche Boerse,
- News Briefs: Schulte Roth & Zabel announces five new partners,  ETrade plans to exit institutional business, JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank invest in Bats Trading, Advent Software`s Moxy reaches 800 client milestone, Swedish hedge fund  Bergsgård Petersson Fonder changes name after acquisition, Investment platform of China`s prestigious Tsinghua University ventures into fund management,
- ...And finally: Driver found unbuckled in crash, but beer 12-pack safely belted in
- Logon: http://www.opalesque.com/main.php?act=archive

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Misc. Items of Interest

 

Widgets: From Hype to Hits | by April Joyner
Once, widgets were a synonym for "doohickeys." Now
they're a very real -- and soon to be indispensable --
Web marketing and distribution strategy for young
startups and giant corporations.
http://trax.fastcompany.com/k/w/mailman/fasttake/20080109/hypehits

Slideshow: 10 Widget Wonders | by April Joyner
Think widgets offer more clutter than function? These
ten widgets and apps prove otherwise.
http://trax.fastcompany.com/k/w/mailman/fasttake/20080109/wwonders

 

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Funnies, Facts, Quotes, etc….

 

pertinacious puhr-tin-AY-shuhs, adjective:

1. Holding or adhering obstinately to any opinion, purpose, or design.
2. Stubbornly or perversely persistent.

 

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Conference, Courses, Books, Papers

 

Great Research Sites:

 

Merrill Lynch research Link to full report including important disclosures see example

 

John Mauldin’s Weekly Analysis

 

James Altucher’s Website:

 

Other useful sites:

 

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Index Corner

 

The CSFB/Tremont Hedge Fund Index www.hedgeindex.com.

The Cogent Dynamic Averages http://www.cogenthedge.com/home/inv_strategy.asphttp://www.cogenthedge.com/home/inv_strategy.asp

The Dow Jones Indices: http://www.djhedgefundindexes.com/index.cfm?event=viewPremiumContent (free registration)

HFRX Indices https://www.hedgefundresearch.com/hfrx_reg/index.php?fuse=login&1170880431

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Regulatory Info

 

 

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Disclaimer

 

The information contained in this document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell any security or other type of vehicles to or by anyone in any jurisdictions, nor should it be regarded as a contractual document. Under no circumstances should the information provided on this document be considered as financial advice, or as a sufficient basis on which to make investment decisions. The information contained herein has been gathered by Investor DNA, LLC from sources deemed reliable as of the date of publication, but no warranty of accuracy or completeness is given. Investor DNA, LLC is not responsible for and provides no guarantee with respect to any of the information provided herein or through the use of any hypertext link. Past results are no indication of future performance. All information in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment, legal, tax or accounting advice. All materials are the property of the respective publishers, as referenced by header and appropriate hypertext links.