News Focus
News Focus
icon url

mlsoft

09/06/02 10:53 AM

#23100 RE: oeo2oo #23098

oeo2oo...

I don't know what is going on in gold, but I like what I am seeing. I still think it is primarily related to Iraq and Japan, but you may be correct that a JPM/BAC/C/GS derivative problem might be brewing again. Hard to forecast that one, other than the fact that the danger is certainly there. JPM is one of my shorts in the financial sector.

Good luck.

mlsoft

icon url

Lane Hall-Witt

09/06/02 11:16 AM

#23116 RE: oeo2oo #23098

I've been wondering about this, too, although I suspect there would be little tolerance at the Fed and among other big players for attacks on JPM. Going after little old Long-Term Capital Management is one thing, but going after JPM is quite another. It is noteworthy, though, that there have been a few recent instances where the analysts have "broken ranks" on JPM: S&P with its repeated threats to downgrade JPM, Lehman (I think) with a downgrade shortly after the July Congressional debacle related to Enron.

Another one to watch for signs of collapse is FBF: they were out yesterday indicating that their dividend is at risk if they run into problems with their heavy exposure to Brazil. They're assuming that Brazil has restabilized and will present no unexpected problems--. LOL! FBF has already suffered massive write-offs in Argentina and is desperately looking to unwind additional Latin American risk. I'd look for attacks on their positions over the next two or three months, with particular event-risk surrounding the Brazilian elections next month.