BofA and Countrywide: My 2 Cents
Gary Kaltbaum is an investment
advisor with over 18 years experience, and a Fox News Channel Business
Contributor. Gary is the author of
The Investors Edge. Mr. Kaltbaum is also the
host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Investors Edge” on over 50 radio
stations. Gary is also editor and publisher of “Gary Kaltbaum’s Trendwatch”…a
weekly and monthly technical analysis research report for the institutional
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I must put my two cents in here.
As you know, I have said that Countrypuke would either go bankrupt or be
bought at low prices. We got both. In my humble opinion, Countrypuke was a
short road away from filing bankruptcy. You may not know this but in the
past few days, Moody’ sdowngraded the ratings on a ton of Countrypuke’s mortgage
debt. You don’t even need my opinion. The stock’s action was telling the tale.
Bankamerica was just averaging down on a losing position. Not only did
they buy into CFC in the $18 area but CFC tapped $12 billion of credit about
that time…in which BAC was a large part of. In other words, this was not an
offensive move…it was defensive.
The government is behind this. Yup…do not think for a second that
this was just BAC acting. The Fed knows how much CFC was carrying as far as
mortgages as well as deposits.
Lastly, who leaked this rumor to the WSJ? If I was Chris Cox, I would
be personally calling on them to disclose who committed such an ethical
violation…if not an out and out crime. Does anyone care this was leaked?
Shouldn’t these types of talks be kept under wraps?
Now onto Merrill and Citi. We are now hearing of ANOTHER $15 billion loss at
Merrill and the same for Citi. I have been amazed that in recent weeks that a
few pundits have said these companies high-balled the recent numbers to look
better in the future. NOT! I continue to stand in amazement as to how these
companies still…cannot figure out their numbers. Is it any wonder the market
refuses to bid up any of these companies in a meaningful fashion?
It was so good of Mr. Bernanke to report the news to us yesterday. The last
person to figure things out is probably the most important person. This remains
quite scary.
Lastly…a little on the market. Two days ago I told you to expect a sharp
bounce and imminently. Please do not confuse a bounce with a bottom that so many
are already calling for. After 1100 points on a straight down basis, it is
normal to bounce to relieve the extended and oversold condition. Please do not
go past this. We hit a small bottom…a bottom…not the bottom. It was logical
to bounce right off of the LOW of the August intraday reversal. There still
remains a clear lack of leadership…and most stocks remain in downtrends. The
bull markets are in GOLD/SILVER, BEVERAGES, TOBACCO, UTILITIES, BIG INSURANCE,
HMOS and DRUGS…either DEFENSIVE or INFLATIONARY…not bull market leaders.
Gary Kaltbaum