Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment

Welcome to the Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment blog. At Crew Capital, investment education is key to how we work with our clients. We hope our conversation and analysis entice you to think further on your investment strategies and planning. For further discussion, please contact us at rjung@crewcapital.com

Thank you!
Robert F. Jung, CFA CPA*

*CPA inactve

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Headline Financial News - Tuesday August 26, 2008

Regulators Put More Banks on Probation: Federal regulators have put more struggling banks on "probation," forcing them to fix their problems and try to avoid costly failures. More so-called memorandums of understanding have been issued this year to date than in all of 2007. The memorandums can force banks into agreements that include taking steps to raise capital, cutting back on risky loans and suspending dividend payments. The FDIC had 90 "problem" banks on its list at the end of March, but there have been five bank failures since then and many more considered at risk. A revised list will be released Tuesday.

Troubled economy weighs on Obama's ambitious agenda. With the Democratic National Convention underway, Obama is finding his ambitious economic agenda threatened by economic reality, WSJ says. Obama is calling for a government healthcare plan to cover millions without insurance; a system of tradeable pollution permits to reduce emissions; and higher income-tax rates and capital-gains tax rates. His top priorities would cost hundreds of billions of dollars a year, not counting a stimulus plan he is considering with a price tag of $115B.

U.S. home sales rise 3.1% in July. Home sales rose 3.1% in July, their highest level since February, as falling home prices attracted buyers. The number of homes and apartments for sale rose 3.9% in July, adding to the supply glut and further depressing home values. Home prices were down 7.1% in July over the previous year, and at least a third of July's property sales involved foreclosed homes sold at discounted prices or by owners with no alternative.

Source SeekingAlpha.com

Gross, Fuss discuss capital raising by Fannie, Freddie: Bill Gross, chief investment officer at Pacific Investment Management, and Dan Fuss, vice chairman of Loomis Sayles, said they would participate in fundraising efforts by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if the Treasury is also involved. The two disagreed on how the deals should be structured: Gross is interested in a straight preferred-stock offering, while Fuss suggested a convertible-debenture offering. Reuters

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.-- Mark Twain

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