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Archive for the ‘Wall Street’ Category

“Hook ’em Horns” Complaint: State of Texas v. Goldman Sachs et al

Posted by Larry Doyle on July 2nd, 2010 12:42 PM |

Is America supposed to believe that the economic crisis emanating on Wall Street and costing our economy trillions of dollars was all on the up and up and was merely a ‘perfect storm’? Although many on Wall Street and in Washington would have us believe just that, a true measure of ‘sense on cents’ dictates that we not be so naive.

Regrettably, our financial regulators and most state attorneys general have shown themselves to be incapable, unwilling, or incompetent in pursuing the massive financial transgressions and fraud that lie at the foundation of our crisis. Well, it is time for “hook ’em horns!!”

The Democratic candidate for Attorney General in the great state of Texas, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, has written a Legal Complaint and Legal Brief which form the basis for a lawsuit against Wall Street and the underlying fraud which has brought our nation to its knees. (more…)

Does Wall Street Add Value?

Posted by Larry Doyle on June 21st, 2010 8:52 AM |

How does one make progress while navigating the economic landscape?

In my opinion, the key that unlocks the door to real, long term progress is the ability of an individual or an enterprise to continually and increasingly “add value.” How does one do that? Initially, one needs to develop skills and relationships. From there, one needs to hone those skills and expand those relationships. Ultimately, one can leverage and ‘sell’ this ability to ‘add value’ to an ever wider audience. In the process, the individual, firm, enterprise, or industry that can drive this process should and typically does flourish.

During the course of my career on Wall Street, I never wanted to plateau in terms of adding value. I was convinced that I needed to continually grow my skills and relationships. I encourage those whom I mentor to take this approach to their careers.

Against this backdrop, the question begs “does Wall Street as an industry truly add value?” (more…)

Sense on Cents Financial Reform

Posted by Larry Doyle on May 21st, 2010 9:05 AM |

In the midst of all the legislative wrangling in Washington and the financial gyrations on Wall Street, what does it all mean for everyday American investors? I am not so sure it means all that much. How much are everyday Americans impacted by proprietary trading, derivatives, merged regulators? Very little actually. I am not writing this to discount the proposed financial regulatory reform coming out of Washington, but I remain underwhelmed that it will truly protect everyday investors from the ways of Wall Street.

To this end, I am happy to propose my own Sense on Cents Financial Reforms which I believe regulators should impose on financial intermediaries (brokers, bankers, money managers, et al). I am not only proposing these reforms here, but I am sharing them today with Washington based financial regulators. In deference to my readers, you’re getting the first look. Feel free to share your thoughts on my proposed reforms, and add others which you believe should be implemented. (more…)

Goldman Action Highlights FINRA Facade

Posted by Larry Doyle on May 6th, 2010 12:57 PM |

FINRA is supposed to be the Wall Street cop, right? Is the cop a real cop or more of a facade? Well, when the Wall Street banks which FINRA is charged to oversee do not observe the most basic of FINRA rules and regulations, in my opinion, FINRA is exposed as nothing more than a facade.

Evidence of this was on display just yesterday as Bloomberg highlighted in reporting, Goldman Sachs Said to Be Late to Report SEC Probe to FINRA:

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was late in notifying the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that trader Fabrice Tourre might be sued for fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to people familiar with the matter. (more…)

Keep Pressuring the Wall Street-Washington Incest

Posted by Larry Doyle on April 20th, 2010 9:17 AM |

Incestuous relationships can last a long time. When two willing consorts are engaged in incest without it being exposed, the incest can grow and ultimately become cancerous. Incestuous partners may believe they are pleasing each other at little expense to other family members. What a lie. Make no mistake, there is always a third party involved in incest. Who is that? Collectively, the family. In the case of our financial crisis circa 2010, the incestuous relationship between Wall Street and Washington has badly damaged the American family. Let us not allow either of these incestuous partners to define our current turmoil by asking family members to pick sides.

Why am I writing this? (more…)

Ambulance Chasing on Wall Street

Posted by Larry Doyle on April 12th, 2010 10:58 AM |

What is driving our markets higher? A rebound in earnings along with a rebound in the economy, correct? Well, let’s take a quick look at corporate earnings.

Thanks to our Sense on Cents Hall of Famer and resident Economic All-Star David Rosenberg, we learn this morning that:

Financial sector profits have accounted for 85% of the overall increase in corporate earnings.

When I read this, I immediately think of the market akin to that gutless driver who jumps behind an ambulance as it screams down the street. Who is in that ambulance? Main Street. Who is in that car getting the ‘free ride’? Wall Street. (more…)

Finger Pointing and Payoffs

Posted by Larry Doyle on April 9th, 2010 9:12 AM |

Who in America is going to stand up and accept appropriate culpability for his/her contribution to our current economic crisis? Who in America is also willing to expose the incestuous nature of the Wall Street-Washington relationship which provided the cover for the activities which have debilitated our nation?

Let’s review what we have learned so far:

1. Blame has been directed at bank executives…but they got paid handsomely, and have not accepted full responsibility.

2. Blame has been directed at ratings agencies….but they also got paid handsomely to provide ratings, while not really knowing what they were doing. (more…)

Financial “Family” Collusion Will Likely Increase

Posted by Larry Doyle on March 30th, 2010 9:18 AM |

What will be the next explosion in financial chicanery if not outright fraud? Collusion, that is price fixing. Why? A number of reasons, including:

1. The financial industry has become an oligopoly, (some may say cartel) thus setting the table for increased collusion to propagate.

2. Lower volumes across exchanges, which pressure revenues and incentivize market participants to collude to generate greater profits. (more…)

Wall Street Isn’t Capitalism!!

Posted by Larry Doyle on March 22nd, 2010 1:53 PM |

Is our nation trending away from the principles of capitalism which built the foundation upon which we rest? Another healthcare whine? Nope. I am talking about the once proud pillars of capitalism centered on lower Manhattan, otherwise known as Wall Street.

Let me simplify the debate. What is capitalism? Are you willing to accept the definitions provided by my Investing primer, Investopedia?

What Does Capitalism Mean?
An economic system based on a free market, open competition, profit motive and private ownership of the means of production. Capitalism encourages private investment and business, compared to a government-controlled economy. Investors in these private companies (i.e. shareholders) also own the firms and are known as capitalists.

What does the Financial Times have to say about our financial system this morning?   (more…)

Wall Street’s Oligopoly Flexes Its Muscle

Posted by Larry Doyle on March 15th, 2010 12:51 PM |

Pricing power is everything.

What businessman wouldn’t like greater control and influence over the pricing of his goods and services? How are prices determined? In a capitalist system, prices are a function of the competitive forces of supply and demand. What happens when competition dwindles? Pricing power for the suppliers increases. How does competition dwindle? When barriers to entry are so high, or competitors go out of business. This economic reality is also known as an oligopoly and it defines the current state of our financial industry known as Wall Street.

Is Wall Street taking advantage of the lessened competition and flexing its muscle to drive revenue? Is the Pope Catholic? (more…)






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