Oct 07 Watch Risky Credit Default Swaps Linked to Financial Troubles Insurer AIG is among the financial titans to hit troubled times in the recent Wall Street crisis. Paul Solman takes an in-depth look at the woes at AIG and explains how credit default swaps played a role its financial turbulence. Continue watching
Oct 07 Watch Weak Collective Action Threatens Global Credit Crisis The U.S. financial meltdown has become a globalized crisis, spreading to Europe and emerging markets. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund explains the importance of restoring confidence among banks and consumers, coordinating efforts among countries and the IMF's… Continue watching
Oct 06 Watch Bailout Fails to Stem Credit Fears in Financial Markets Despite the approval of a sweeping $700 billion bailout bill on Capitol Hill, the downward march of the financial sector continued Monday as major world and U.S. markets plummeted. Continue watching
Oct 06 Are there any banks or investment houses not involved in risky practices? Question/Comment: Are there any banks or investment houses not involved in risky practices? I would like to deal with a financial institution that has integrity. Where can I find it? Paul Solman: No, banks and investment banks are in an… Continue reading
Oct 06 Stocks Drop Over Continuing Credit Fears By PBS News Hour U.S. stocks fell more than 6 percent Monday morning and the Dow Jones industrial average fell below 10,000 for the first time since October 2004. Continue reading
Oct 06 Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Question/Comment: Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Paul Solman: I sure hope so. Basically, a credit default swap or “CDS” is an insurance contract to protect against bankruptcy. Say… Continue reading
Oct 03 Watch Sweeping $700 Billion Financial Rescue Wins Final Approval The U.S. economy faced fresh troubles Friday as President Bush signed a $700 billion bailout bill. Analysts weigh the economic picture and Paul Solman recaps week's events. Continue watching
Oct 03 Watch After Week of Debate, House Passes Bailout Plan Members of the House approved a modified federal rescue plan Friday, moved by the Senate's support and mounting concerns over the stability of the U.S. financial sector. Kwame Holman reports on the bill's passage. Continue watching
Oct 03 Wouldn't mortgage-backed securities gain value if homeowners could refinance their homes? Question/Comment: This is what I don’t get: If the problem is that the mortgage-backed securities hold little value because a lot of people are unable to pay their mortgages, wouldn’t those securities gain value if homeowners were allowed to refinance… Continue reading
Oct 03 Should I move now whatever money I can to federally insured savings accounts? Question/Comment: I am 62, hoping to retire at 67. I have no debt and my money is invested (following the advice of a pricey financial adviser) in both equities and guaranteed income. I’ve lost a big chunk of dough in… Continue reading