S&P: Shedding Light On The Global Power Industry

Shedding Light On The Global Power Industry (00:09:51 min)

Low natural gas prices and weak power demand have driven down electricity prices, stressing ratings on generators at a time when environmental compliance costs continue to rise. Utilities in rate-regulated markets to a large extent have maintained credit quality as regulators have generally allowed cost pass-through for everything from smokestack scrubbers to nuclear plant upgrades. In this CreditMatters TV segment, Lead Analytical Managers Steve Dreyer (Utilities & Infrastructure, U.S.), Peter Tuving (Utilities & Infrastructure, Europe/Middle East/Africa), and Andrew Palmer (Utilities & Infrastructure, Asia-Pacific) examine the trends shaping the global power industry. Topics include the impact of Europe’s struggling economies on utility ratings and how the Fukushima earthquake and Tokyo Electric Power have affected Asia-Pacific's utility sector.

CNNMoney: Fed's Dudley calls for housing aid

EYES ON THE FED
Fed's Dudley calls for housing aid
By Annalyn Censky @CNNMoney October 24, 2011: 9:44 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A top Federal Reserve official is pushing for an "urgent effort" to prop up the housing market, and support the overall U.S. economy.

Bloomberg: Jobs Outlook in U.S. Worst Since 2010: Survey

Jobs Outlook in U.S. Worst Since 2010: Survey
By Shobhana Chandra - 2011.10.23 09:01 PM

U.S. companies’ hiring plans reflect the worst employment outlook since January 2010 as demand slows in the world’s largest economy, a private survey showed.

Reuters: U.S. rating likely to be downgraded again: Merrill

U.S. rating likely to be downgraded again: Merrill
By Walter Brandimarte
NEW YORK | Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:20pm EDT

(Reuters) - The United States will likely suffer the loss of its triple-A credit rating from another major rating agency by the end of this year due to concerns over the deficit, Bank of America Merrill Lynch forecasts.

USA Today: Big banks under new pressure in Europe crisis

Big banks under new pressure in Europe crisis
2011.10.22 10:56 PM

BRUSSELS (AP) – Big banks found themselves under pressure in Europe's debt crisis Saturday, with finance chiefs pushing them to raise billions of euros in capital and accept huge losses on Greek bonds they hold.

USA Today: Ariz. regulators seize PMI Mortgage Insurance Co.

Ariz. regulators seize PMI Mortgage Insurance Co.

PHOENIX (AP) – Insurance regulators in Arizona have seized the main subsidiary of private mortgage insurer PMI Group, which will begin paying claims at just 50%.

USA Today: Condo nation: Why so few Americans are buying homes

Condo nation: Why so few Americans are buying homes
By John Melloy, CNBC.com
2011.10.22 07:52 AM

The housing market is rebounding — at least one piece of it.

USA Today: Unemployment rates fall in half of U.S. states

Unemployment rates fall in half of U.S. states
By Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press
2011.10.21 07:53 AM

WASHINGTON – Unemployment rates fell in half of U.S. states last month, a sign that September's pickup in hiring was felt around the country.

CNNMoney: Foreign buyers scooping up U.S. homes

Foreign buyers scooping up U.S. homes
By Les Christie October 21, 2011: 5:23 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Hey, wealthy foreigners! Want to live in the U.S.? Buy a home here.

Starwood Capital brings in European real estate debt ‘point man’

Starwood Capital brings in European real estate debt ‘point man’
Posted on October 20, 2011 1:21 pm

Starwood Capital, the global private equity real estate firm, is moving Adam Shah over to London next month from its US headquarters to act as point man for real estate loan debt opportunities.

http://costarfinance.com/2011/10/20/starwood-capital-brings-in-european-real-estate-debt-point-man/