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U.S. Consumer Spending Increases More Than Forecast
By Shobhana Chandra - Mar 29, 2011 6:07 AM GMT+0900
Americans increased spending more than forecast in February as incomes climbed, easing concern that rising food and fuel costs might derail the consumer demand that makes up 70 percent of the U.S. economy.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
WSJ: Crises Nudge Debt Loads to Brink
THE OUTLOOK|MARCH 28, 2011
Crises Nudge Debt Loads to Brink
By MARK WHITEHOUSE
The financial strains created by crises in Japan and Europe highlight a growing problem: The rich world is getting close to the point where it won't be able to bear the costs of another disaster.
Crises Nudge Debt Loads to Brink
By MARK WHITEHOUSE
The financial strains created by crises in Japan and Europe highlight a growing problem: The rich world is getting close to the point where it won't be able to bear the costs of another disaster.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
S&P: The CMBS Market Improves In First-Quarter 2011, But Global Instability Could Impede Progress
The CMBS Market Improves In First-Quarter 2011, But Global Instability Could Impede Progress (00:05:53 min)
In first-quarter 2011, the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market experienced improving fundamentals, including tighter spreads and fewer delinquencies. Nevertheless, instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and the earthquake in Japan, resulted in increased volatility and higher commodity prices, which could ultimately hamper new CMBS issuance. In this podcast, Standard & Poor's Senior Director James Manzi provides an overview of CMBS market activity for the first quarter and our expectations for the rest of the year.
Listen
In first-quarter 2011, the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market experienced improving fundamentals, including tighter spreads and fewer delinquencies. Nevertheless, instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and the earthquake in Japan, resulted in increased volatility and higher commodity prices, which could ultimately hamper new CMBS issuance. In this podcast, Standard & Poor's Senior Director James Manzi provides an overview of CMBS market activity for the first quarter and our expectations for the rest of the year.
Listen
S&P: New Home Sales Sink To An All-Time Low As U.S. Housing Woes Continue
New Home Sales Sink To An All-Time Low As U.S. Housing Woes Continue (00:20:41 min)
This week’s U.S. housing data report negative trends all across the sector. Existing home sales declined 9.6% in February and 33% from their 2005 peak, and sales of new homes dropped to their all-time lowest level. In this podcast, Standard & Poor’s Senior Director Erkan Erturk discusses the latest trends affecting the sector.
Listen
This week’s U.S. housing data report negative trends all across the sector. Existing home sales declined 9.6% in February and 33% from their 2005 peak, and sales of new homes dropped to their all-time lowest level. In this podcast, Standard & Poor’s Senior Director Erkan Erturk discusses the latest trends affecting the sector.
Listen
S&P: How The Fed’s Move To Ease Capital Restraints Could Affect Large U.S. Banks
How The Fed’s Move To Ease Capital Restraints Could Affect Large U.S. Banks (00:04:56 min)
On March 18, 2011, the Federal Reserve relaxed its capital restraints on the 19 largest U.S.banks. The move allows these institutions to increase the return of capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. In this CreditMatters TV segment, Standard & Poor's Director Stuart Plesser discusses our thinking on how the decision could affect the banks in the long run. Topics include the potential rating implications, stress test results, and the importance of capital adequacy in the ratings process.
Watch | Download
On March 18, 2011, the Federal Reserve relaxed its capital restraints on the 19 largest U.S.banks. The move allows these institutions to increase the return of capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. In this CreditMatters TV segment, Standard & Poor's Director Stuart Plesser discusses our thinking on how the decision could affect the banks in the long run. Topics include the potential rating implications, stress test results, and the importance of capital adequacy in the ratings process.
Watch | Download
Friday, March 25, 2011
WSJ: A Nation of Dropouts Shakes Europe
EUROPE BUSINESS NEWS|MARCH 25, 2011
A Nation of Dropouts Shakes Europe
By CHARLES FORELLE
LISBON—Isabel Fernandes, a cheery 22-year-old with a constellation of stars tattooed around her right eye, isn't sure how many times she repeated fifth grade. Two, she says with a laugh. Or maybe three. She redid seventh grade as well. She quit school with an eighth-grade education at age 20.
A Nation of Dropouts Shakes Europe
By CHARLES FORELLE
LISBON—Isabel Fernandes, a cheery 22-year-old with a constellation of stars tattooed around her right eye, isn't sure how many times she repeated fifth grade. Two, she says with a laugh. Or maybe three. She redid seventh grade as well. She quit school with an eighth-grade education at age 20.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
emii.com: Perella Buys €286M RBS Property Portfolio
Perella Buys €286M RBS Property Portfolio
03-24-2011 | Source: emii.com
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has sold its Spanish real estate portfolio to special subsidiaries of financial investor, Perella Weinberg, The Wall Street Journal reports. The banking group has not disclosed the financial details of the cash transaction, but the package has a par value of €286 million.
03-24-2011 | Source: emii.com
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has sold its Spanish real estate portfolio to special subsidiaries of financial investor, Perella Weinberg, The Wall Street Journal reports. The banking group has not disclosed the financial details of the cash transaction, but the package has a par value of €286 million.
WSJ: Portugal's Woes Turn Spotlight on Spain
EUROPE NEWS|MARCH 24, 2011, 5:32 P.M. ET
Portugal's Woes Turn Spotlight on Spain
By MARCUS WALKER And JONATHAN HOUSE
Portugal's admission that it will probably need a financial bailout raises a question that will shape the outcome of the euro zone's debt crisis: Is Spain next?
Portugal's Woes Turn Spotlight on Spain
By MARCUS WALKER And JONATHAN HOUSE
Portugal's admission that it will probably need a financial bailout raises a question that will shape the outcome of the euro zone's debt crisis: Is Spain next?
WSJ: New Phase in Europe Crisis
EUROPE BUSINESS NEWS|MARCH 24, 2011
New Phase in Europe Crisis
Portugal Is Seen Needing Bailout as Austerity Plan Fails, Prime Minister Resigns
By PATRICIA KOWSMANN And JEFFREY T. LEWIS
LISBON—Portugal's parliament rejected a new government austerity plan Wednesday, spurring the resignation of Prime Minister José Sócrates and setting off a new phase in Europe's sovereign-debt crisis.
New Phase in Europe Crisis
Portugal Is Seen Needing Bailout as Austerity Plan Fails, Prime Minister Resigns
By PATRICIA KOWSMANN And JEFFREY T. LEWIS
LISBON—Portugal's parliament rejected a new government austerity plan Wednesday, spurring the resignation of Prime Minister José Sócrates and setting off a new phase in Europe's sovereign-debt crisis.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
S&P: Could Bank Resolution Regimes Spur Rating Actions?
Could Bank Resolution Regimes Spur Rating Actions? (00:05:37 min)
Bank resolution regimes are legal and regulatory frameworks that clarify the powers and approaches taken by governments to deal with failing banks. Could these regimes spur rating actions? Moreover, will banks be allowed to fail? In this CreditMatters TV segment, Senior Director and Criteria Officer for Financial Institutions Michelle Brennan answers these questions and provides a big picture look at the effects the regimes could have on global banking and financial systems.
Watch | Download
Bank resolution regimes are legal and regulatory frameworks that clarify the powers and approaches taken by governments to deal with failing banks. Could these regimes spur rating actions? Moreover, will banks be allowed to fail? In this CreditMatters TV segment, Senior Director and Criteria Officer for Financial Institutions Michelle Brennan answers these questions and provides a big picture look at the effects the regimes could have on global banking and financial systems.
Watch | Download
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