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Most Clicked SIFMA SmartBrief Stories


1. What lies ahead in 2009

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009

Now that 2008 has come to an end, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune look ahead to 2009 and offer a forecast of financial and geopolitical issues likely to shape this year. Wall Street Journal (free content), The (01/02) International Herald Tribune (01/01) Financial Times (12/30)


2. Mathematical formulas missed risk, fueled crisis

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009

Complex mathematical formulas used to calculate risk and values of investments may have helped fuel the financial crisis. Value at Risk, or VaR, was one of the most widely used models because it quantified risk as a single figure. New York Times, The (01/02)


3. Obama eyes as much as $310 billion in tax cuts

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009

Faced with warnings that the recession could slide into a lengthy period of deflation and stagnation, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to ask Congress for as much as $310 billion in tax cuts as part of his huge stimulus package. Data are painting an ever-darker picture of the economy, with a report on U.S. jobs that is scheduled for release this week expected to show that at least 500,000 jobs disappeared in December. Reuters (01/05) New York Times, The (01/04) CNBC (01/05)


4. Credit-derivative market bound for change

SIFMA SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008

The most drastic and important change in the credit-derivative market is likely attempts to establish a central clearinghouse and counterparty. Credit derivatives, including credit default swaps, have gained much attention during the past year as lawmakers, industry insiders, investors and others debated whether they contributed to the financial crisis or helped contain it. Financial Times (12/29)


5. Turmoil creates new compliance challenges

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009

Brokers and financial advisers are under pressure to make sure their compliance procedures are in good shape, now that arbitration claims filed by customers are up almost 84% through November, compared with the same period in 2007. But cost-cutting measures and high turnover among financial advisers make it a challenge to find the money and manpower to deal with compliance issues. Wall Street Journal (free content), The (01/04)


6. SIFMA's Economic Advisory Roundtable unveils 2009 predictions

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009

SIFMA has released its semiannual economic outlook for the U.S. Leading economists from SIFMA's member firms took part in the survey. The report provides information including forecasts for economic growth and interest rates and an examination of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Click here to read the report.


7. Analysis: Credit availability will shape U.S. economy's future

SIFMA SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008

How long the recession lingers and the stock market and housing prices remain depressed depends on the availability of every type of credit, ranging from corporate and municipal bonds to car loans, home mortgages and credit cards, according to this article. Banks are hoarding cash, with the amount being held by financial institutions at more than $1 trillion, three times the figure only three months ago. New York Times, The (12/30)


8. Merrill Lynch acquisition puts Bank of America on top

SIFMA SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009

Bank of America has finalized its purchase of Merrill Lynch, ending nearly a century of independence for the brokerage and investment banking giant and forging the nation's biggest bank with an estimated $2.7 trillion in assets. BofA gains 17,000 brokers, the fifth-ranked investment bank in terms of debt and equity underwriting and a nearly 50% share of BlackRock, a powerful money-management firm. CNNMoney.com (01/01)


9. BlackRock moves to cut Merrill Lynch's voting rights

SIFMA SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008

BlackRock is undertaking a complex redistribution of common and preferred shares that will alter voting rights. The move comes as BlackRock exercises and option to reduce the voting rights of Merrill lynch, which will still own 49% of BlackRock but exercise just 4.9% of voting rights after the shift. Financial Times (12/30)


10. Libor drops, possibly signaling credit crunch "has passed the worst"

SIFMA SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008

Libor rates fell Monday to their lowest mark since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September. Pressure on money markets eased as the lower Libor rates lowered interbank lending rates. Libor is expected to continue to fall in 2009. FinancialWeek (12/29)




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