• 05 Mar 2009 at 10:25 AM

In Soviet Russia, Agencies Buy You

By Bess Levin

putin-validimr.jpgWell, someone over there is thinking. The motherland believes it has seen quite enough of agency shenanigans, thank you very much. There will be no more of that nonsense on Putin’s watch. Now let’s have no more of this so we can get back to imprisoning oligarchs and lacing reporters’ tea with lethal doses of radioactive material.

Russia banned investment of its $83.7 billion National Wealth Fund in bonds issued by foreign government agencies such as Fannie Mae (FNM.N) and Freddie Mac (FRE.N), the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry said earlier on Thursday it had also banned investment of its $136.3 billion Reserve Fund in foreign government agencies’ bonds.

Russia bans Nat’l Wealth Fund investment in agencies [Reuters]

Comments (20)

  1. 1
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Putin’s breasts are larger than Erin Burnett’s new ones.

  2. 2
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    I thought I was the only one who noticed that.
    Putin needs a manzir.

  3. 3
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    CNBC may want to return to Russia in a few years when they rename themselves CCCP and get old school on business leaders.Russia is swirling the toilet.

  4. 4
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    Bro!

  5. 5
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    I knew Putin was a bait fisherman! His flycasting skills are abysmal, or so I have been told.
    I have also heard he makes Medvev bait his hooks.

  6. 6
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Vlad Madoff?

  7. 7
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    You’d better not critique Pooty-Poots. He doesn’t accept radio call in apologies like other despots.

  8. 8
    Posted by Ben_H | March 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM

    Given that the RF’s Reserve Fund (to be clear, this is a fiscal savings fund, not the CBR’s reserves) is in massive decumulation mode, this is just grandstanding. The Reserve Fund ain’t gonna be buying anything in the near future. In fact, it’s going to be liquidating holders as aggressively as any redemption-hounded hedge fund out there.

  9. 9
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 10:45 AM

    Did he get a bowl of soup with that hat or what?

  10. 10
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    But it looks good on you!

  11. 11
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    Does this hat make me look fat?

  12. 12
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:11 AM

    I knew EP was Russian.

  13. 13
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    5- that’s a spin caster, not a fly rod, and you don’t bait fly rods.
    _M Madoff

  14. 14
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    I’m willing to bet no one here would be willing to step into the cage with Vlad. Just like the Great One won’t debate Rush one-on-one.

  15. 15
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    5 knows that you fool. Go back and re-read for comprehension.

  16. 16
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    Gretzky won’t debate rush? wtf?

  17. 17
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    @16
    comment of the hour

  18. 18
    Posted by guest | March 5, 2009 at 12:33 PM

    It’s “reporters’” not “reporter’s”

  19. 19
    Posted by carl spackler | March 5, 2009 at 12:33 PM

    When did they make a Russian version of “Deliverance” ?

  20. 20
    Posted by carl spackler | March 5, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    When did they make a Russian “Deliverance” ?

Leave a comment

You can log in with your account or comment as a guest below.

   or