A couple of days ago, the AAA and AA, i.e. the top rated (by credit rating) sub-prime bonds' pricing took a swan dive. Look at the ABX indices at Markit or just visit http://bigpicture.typad.com/ and visit his 7/16 posting.
Today, Tuesday the 17th of July after the market close, we now know that the 2 salubrious Bear Stearns sub-prime hedge funds are toast or close to it.
Valuations put one at zero and the less levered of the two at 10 cents on the $ in terms of NAV. We knew they were being clobbered but the consensus view just a few days ago was way more optimistic than we now know.
The afore mentioned ABX swan dive was almost certainly the advanced manifestation of this hedge fund implosion .
BUT, take a look at the VIX. It has traded in a tight range today, yesterday and Friday, i.e no elevated fear on this drastic turn of events.
I looked at the VIX and thought its non response to the apparent credit market dislocation meant that the situation must be somewhat contained. I mean, these markets are pretty fas to react right?
Risk aversion is agnostic. If it infiltrates bonds it should surely migrate to stocks, especially high beta and small caps. Comments?
Today, Tuesday the 17th of July after the market close, we now know that the 2 salubrious Bear Stearns sub-prime hedge funds are toast or close to it.
Valuations put one at zero and the less levered of the two at 10 cents on the $ in terms of NAV. We knew they were being clobbered but the consensus view just a few days ago was way more optimistic than we now know.
The afore mentioned ABX swan dive was almost certainly the advanced manifestation of this hedge fund implosion .
BUT, take a look at the VIX. It has traded in a tight range today, yesterday and Friday, i.e no elevated fear on this drastic turn of events.
I looked at the VIX and thought its non response to the apparent credit market dislocation meant that the situation must be somewhat contained. I mean, these markets are pretty fas to react right?
Risk aversion is agnostic. If it infiltrates bonds it should surely migrate to stocks, especially high beta and small caps. Comments?

