Archive for October, 2008

Funds Eye Distressed Plays

Friday, October 17th, 2008

The financial markets may be reeling, but distressed investors see opportunity amid the turmoil. Distressed firms are seeing strong interest from investors with 18 funds raising $37.9 billion thus far this year, up 28% percent from $29.5 billion raised by 16 funds at this point last year, according to a recent report from Dow Jones [...]

Obama, McCain Focus on Jobs

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

The U.S. economy has sunk into a recession and government action is critical to stem the damage, according to economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey. According to the WSJ report, “It is a challenging scenario for the next president, as the election moves into the home stretch. Either Sen. John McCain or [...]

Risk Management Watch: Firms Spending to Shore up Risk Protocols

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Perceived risk management failings are driving a spending spree, according to a recent survey from business model advisers SAS. The survey, which polled 316 financial service firm board members, shows that nearly 60% of firms are spending cash to shore up their risk management strategies amid ongoing financial uncertainty. Moreover, the study finds that 70% [...]

Law Firms Experience “Bailout Boom”

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

As the financial crisis worsens, top law firms are experiencing a boom in work advising banking clients in mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and lawsuits. The spate of work began in March with the collapse of Bear Stearns and its government-brokered sale to JPMorgan for about $2 billion, according to Bloomberg. Deal volume, down 36% at [...]

Wind Power a Bright Spot in U.S. Economy

Monday, October 13th, 2008

It’s All About Jobs…

Energy and environmental issues were among the hot topics in the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Obama said repeatedly that energy would be a top priority in his administration. He also listed energy as one of his top three concerns. “We are going to have to deal with [...]

Privatization Efforts in the U.S. Gaining Momentum

Friday, October 10th, 2008

As the race for the White House heats up, repairing the nation’s crumbling infrastructure remains one of the pressing issues in which the federal government is being urged to intervene. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates $1.6 trillion is needed over a five-year period just to bring U.S. infrastructure into a state of good [...]

It’s All About Jobs: Obama & McCain square off on how to save them…and create more

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Jobs (keeping people in their jobs and adding new ones) has emerged as a critical issue for Barack Obama and John McCain as the race for the White House heats up in the final stretch. Following the second of three scheduled Presidential debates, creating jobs and stimulating the floundering economy are foremost on the minds [...]

Risk Management Watch: Excessive Risk Pushed Fannie to the Brink

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Under pressure from Wall Street firms, Congress and company shareholders, Fannie Mae took risks that pushed the company, and, in turn, a large part of the nation’s financial health, to the tipping point, according to The New York Times. In a recent report, the NYT outlines the events which culminated in the federal government’s $200 [...]

It’s Jobs Stupid: Obama & McCain Talk Economy, Jobs

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

As of Monday morning, weary investors woke to more turmoil in the financial markets. Fears of layoffs and recession are running rampant. As Wall Street looks to Washington for help, so do those who have been laid off, or worry their jobs may be in jeopardy. With uncertainty plaguing the job market, what can you [...]

Proponents of P3s Get Boost with Chicago Midway Airport

Monday, October 6th, 2008

The Midway Investment and Development Corporation (”MIDCo”), comprised of Citi Infrastructure Investors, Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company just announced that it has won a $2.5 billion, 99-year lease contract to operate and develop the first privatized major airport in the U.S. - Chicago Midway Airport. “This contract marks a milestone [...]