As my readers know, I have no specific preference for the overall structure of healthcare reform, with a few important caveats. When I worked on the Global Commission on Aging, I became familiar with systems around the world. All of them have problems of one sort or another. What is important to [...]

Filed under: NewOak Blog by Vincent Truglia

Before the financial crisis spread around the world, structured products were typically marketed as safe, although generally less liquid alternative products. Another important virtue of the asset class was its perceived diversification value - i.e. the lack of observed price correlation with the broader market. As “safe” went out the window once defaults [...]

Filed under: NewOak Blog by Michael Khankin, CFA

It is not news to anyone that Greece is struggling with a fiscal crisis of major proportions. Unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened. In fact, Greece had to receive special assistance from the European Union (EU) in the early 1990’s, along with Italy, because its domestic debt was turning [...]

Filed under: NewOak Blog by Vincent Truglia

The DDR deal, the first CMBS deal after nearly eighteen months, was ten times oversubscribed. The following two deals also saw good demand even though they did not allow for TALF financing. So, clearly, there is good demand for CMBS bonds backed by well underwritten loans. Also, borrowers clearly want loans if they can get [...]

Filed under: NewOak Blog by Malay Bansal

We have the latest GDP estimates for 4Q09. They were quite good to say the least, even far better than this optimist expected. The economy grew at an annual rate of 5.7%, far above the long-term trend rate. As you know, I always like to look behind the numbers to see where [...]

Filed under: NewOak Blog by Vincent Truglia