Mr. Komal Sri-Kumar, TCW Group’s Chief Global Strategist, gives a thorough, almost calming, treatise of the financial crisis in his October 3rd teleconference call.
It is worthy of review.
A summary of Mr. Sri-Kumar's content and conclusions:
Believes the two major reasons crisis came about:
1. Low interest rates in force for a longer time than necessary which encouraged borrowing regardless of qualifications or the ability to repay the loan.
2. Ineffective regulation.
Not heading into a depression. Disinflation is major threat, not inflation.
His expectations include being bearish on oil and bullish on the dollar: oil $75, Euro $1.25, Gold $700. USA recession starts 4th quarter 2008, 1st quarter 2009 and ends March April 2009 with the stock market starting its recovery. Recession will be worldwide. Bullish on USA equities. The $700 billion rescue plan may result in a profit for the Federal government.
Europe will continue to decline and will decline much steeper than other areas. Particularly affected will be the United Kingdom since 20% of its economy relies on the financial sector versus the USA’s 5%.
China’s GDP growth will be reduced perhaps to 7%-8% in 2009 compared to 2008's expected 11% with the complication that China has stopped trying to curb inflation and is striving for growth.
His presentation explores: When will this crisis end? Are foreign investments safer than investing in the United States? What areas of the world offer attractive investment opportunities now? The origins of the ongoing financial crisis. An explanation of what the rescue plan is intended to achieve.
The recording of Mr. Sri- Kumar's Conference Call is available for free to the public domain.
For the Digital Playback call:
Primary Playback Number: (888) 843-8996
International Playback Number: (630) 652-3044
Passcode: 22866500
Call available: October 3, 2008 - November 3, 2008
Broadcast on October 3, 2008 – duration 45 minutes.
Click here to get a copy of the PDF of his presentation.
(* It is not necessary to register on the web site to listen to the conference call, just call the 888#).
AUTHOR
- Robert Amter
- Chief Executive Officer and Adviser to distressed turnarounds and profitable manufacturing and service companies since 1991. Clients: Bank of New York, General Electric, Morgan Stanley. CEO assignments have included Evenflo Company and Ladish Co. Prior to 1991 was a 15 year veteran of $20 billion Emerson Electric Co. as a division president. Lecturer at New York University's Graduate School of Business. A more complete description can be found on the web site: https://www.bobamter.com
