Dec 18 2007
Economic fundamentals still suggest problems ahead
For your information, here is listing of relevant articles providing context for our fundamental economic environment…
Second wave of SIV liquidity problems looms
The funding problems for the structured investment vehicles (SIVs) that have been at the centre of this year’s liquidity troubles are far from over in spite of a number of banks stepping in to support their vehicles.
Retailers Face an Ominous Holiday Sign
Sales of women’s clothing, a traditional pillar of the holiday shopping season, are unusually bleak so far this year, according to a major credit card company, an ominous sign for the retail industry.
Single-family housing starts hit 16-year low
Housing starts fell 3.7 percent in November, with construction of single-family homes sliding to the lowest level in more than 16 years as builders scrambled to cope with a deep drop in sales.
Grocery Bills and Energy Costs to keep growing
Cost of cooking at home expected to rise by up to 4.5% next year. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration forecasts a 17.7 percent jump in crude oil prices next year, with a corresponding 10.7 percent boost in the price of a gallon of regular gasoline.
Southern California Home Prices Tumble in Nov
The median home price in six Southern California counties plunged 10.3 percent in November, marking the biggest annual drop for any month in 20 years, a real estate survey said Tuesday.
U.S. Corporate Defaults to Quadruple as More Companies Cut to Junk
U.S. corporate defaults probably will quadruple next year after the number of companies that lost their investment-grade credit ratings rose at the fastest pace since 2003.
