• 26 Aug 2010 at 9:30 AM

Opening Bell: 08.26.10

Special Report: Phil Falcone’s Riskiest Trade? (Reuters)
In an email exchange with a Reuters reporter, Falcone suggested that even a bankrupt TerreStar might be worth between $1.5 and $2 billion because of the value of its spectrum license. Using those rough figures, Falcone would appear to be valuing LightSquared at a minimum of between $3 billion and $5 billion based solely on the size of its transmission spectrum — which is twice that of TerreStar’s. When asked whether a $3 billion to $5 billion valuation figure for LightSquared based on it spectrum assets is appropriate, Falcone responded in an email: “I’ve been offered more but u r getting warm.” He didn’t elaborate but in another email he implored: “Do the math.”

Roubini: Chance Of A Double Dip Now Over 40% (CNBC)
“In the short run we may end up like Japan,” Dr. Doom said.

Ireland’s `Vicious Circle’ Leaves Banks Facing Higher Debt Cost (Bloomberg)
Standard & Poor’s this week cut the country’s credit rating to AA-, the lowest since 1995, just as 30 billion euros ($37.9 billion) of government-guaranteed bank debt is due to roll over. Lenders may have to turn to the European Central Bank, said Alan McQuaid, chief economist at Bloxham Stockbrokers in Dublin. “The timing is awful,” McQuaid said. “If the banks can’t refinance, then they become more reliant on the ECB, which hurts the perception of Ireland, which in turn drives sovereign spreads wider. It becomes a vicious circle.”

Santander Suspends Analyst Charged by S.E.C. (Dealbook)
Juan Jose Fernandez Garcia, a senior analyst of equity derivatives based in Madrid, was charged by the S.E.C. of buying “hundreds of ‘out-of-the-money’ call option contracts for stock in Potash” in the run-up to BHP announcing its offer.

UK bank accounting rules ‘fatally flawed’, warns influential watchdog (Telegraph)
While reviewing the proposed expansion of the International Financial Reporting Standards for accounting, Tim Bush, a member of the “Urgent Issues Task Force” that scrutinises the work of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB), claims to have uncovered “fatal” and “dangerous” flaws in the system.

Tiger, Elin Open Up About Sex Scandal and Golf (AP)
Woods admitted to reporters at a New Jersey tournament that he has had difficulty focusing on his game amid the dissolution of his marriage to Nordegren. “As far as my game and practicing, that’s been secondary,” Woods told reporters at The Barclays Golf Tournament, held at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. “I came back as part of my job…coming back and playing golf had nothing to do with our decision to move our separate ways.”

Comments (64)

  1. Posted by Trying Her Out | August 26, 2010 at 2:29 PM

    FIRST!

  2. Posted by Mitch Cumstein | August 26, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Test

  3. Posted by Guest | August 26, 2010 at 2:31 PM

    Would accountants STFU & GTFO

  4. Posted by Henry | August 26, 2010 at 2:31 PM

    Bess -
    Thank your IT guys for me. Web traffic at BI is up 40% since your guys totally screwed this site. Owe you one!!
    Henry

  5. Posted by NakedShort | August 26, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    Dear Nouriel,

    Please shut your fucking mouth.

    Signed,

    Everyone

  6. Posted by Hcvw | August 26, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    Roubini – chances are not expressed in percentages you double dipshit
    ps- this comment system sucks donkeyballs

  7. Posted by guestosaurus | August 26, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    herrrooooo

  8. Posted by Mitch Cumstein | August 26, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    She looks so Piper Jaffray-ish in that melted oreo ice cream.

  9. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    Why anybody cares what Roubini thinks is beyond me

  10. Posted by DB-ITDept@epicfail.com | August 26, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    That’s like putting your whole mouth right in the dip! From now on, when you take a chip – just take one dip and end it!

  11. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:40 PM

    OK guys and gals, methinks that’s enough of the “this new comment system sucks.” It is unlikely to change anytime soon no matter how much we all whine like little bitches. So, everyone, woman up and get back to the funny. Who’s with me?

  12. Posted by guestosaurus | August 26, 2010 at 2:41 PM

    if DISQUS were a stock, I’d short it.

  13. Posted by Asfdadg | August 26, 2010 at 2:44 PM

    short disqus, long Bonobos

  14. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    Let’s see how quickly we can post comments now…

  15. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    You make me hot. Chicago Chick, you and me, 3-some tonight?

  16. Posted by Lol | August 26, 2010 at 2:49 PM

    Why is there no ‘dislike’ button?

  17. Posted by guestosaurus | August 26, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    is double dipping allowed?

  18. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    Posting is quick where I am.
    Some questions for you:
    Were we separated-at-birth twins? How else do you explain why we have the same photo?
    And why do I look like a guy?

  19. Posted by Newly Unemployed I.T. Hamster | August 26, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    You are posting comments too quickly. Please slow down. Squesk.

  20. Posted by Texashedge | August 26, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    Can they at least add the numbering system back?

  21. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    For sure. What time? And where?

  22. Posted by ChicagoChick | August 26, 2010 at 2:53 PM

    Taxchick–rather have my ratio flipped thankyouverymuch. But was nice of you to ask!

  23. Posted by jos.a.bankhard | August 26, 2010 at 2:56 PM

    There is a 80% chance this comment format will make me disown this site after a long, satisfying readership.

  24. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:57 PM

    I think I love you. Tax_Chick, Chicago Chick, you and I, 4-some tonight?

  25. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:58 PM

    second

  26. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 2:58 PM

    mmmmm, no it won’t.

  27. Posted by Von Sloneker | August 26, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    the_show, I happen to follow Nouriel’s “vagina cast” market commentary very closely..

  28. Posted by Bonoboner | August 26, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    This new system was designed by Cody Willard.

    -Matt Taibbi; IT Alpha Reporter

  29. Posted by Pure Acai Berry Max | August 26, 2010 at 3:11 PM

    That’s like putting your whole mouth right in the dip! From now on, when you take a chip – just take one dip and end it!

  30. Posted by Anal_yst | August 26, 2010 at 3:13 PM

    Ah, already have impostors, even with Disqus, cute!

  31. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 3:18 PM

    It was funny the first time it was posted, too.

  32. Posted by BackOfficeSales | August 26, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    In the short run we may end up like Japan

    Kenny Blankenship to replace Charlie Gasparino. Other than that, I have no further concerns

  33. Posted by EconAnalyst | August 26, 2010 at 3:27 PM

    You would think that a Ph.D would do a better job at insider trading.

  34. Posted by HAM05 | August 26, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    do you really have to ask that question?

  35. Posted by HAM05 | August 26, 2010 at 3:31 PM

    but how do we know you know who the real anal_yst is? you know, like that movie with arnold?

  36. Posted by anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 3:33 PM

    New comment system sucks ass

  37. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    Go away little boy. It’s girls only (plus the Fo’real Anal_yst because he’s gay)

  38. Posted by Perkins Maxwell | August 26, 2010 at 3:39 PM

    STFU on the new comments system for God’s sake. Will someone please put either (a) a gag or (b) a chastity belt on Roubini? should have the same effect

  39. Posted by Linkovich Chomofsky | August 26, 2010 at 3:42 PM

    Why does Bess get a star?

  40. Posted by Anal_yst | August 26, 2010 at 3:42 PM

    @Ham

    I am the real-deal. You’ll notice the comment history for the other(s) are very short.

  41. Posted by Blowme | August 26, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    DISQ YOU!

  42. Posted by OptionsTrader | August 26, 2010 at 3:50 PM

    So anyways I just got forwarded this porn this morning where the character was a trader in which every time she lost money on a trade she had to suck her bosses dick to get more cash into her prop trading account. At the end she bet all her entire firms money on some oil futures and lost so she got gang banged by the whole floor. I suppose that might be some symbolism into today’s crazy trading environment.

  43. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 3:51 PM

    In other words, you can ID the real Anal_yst by the idiocy of his posts…

  44. Posted by ChicagoChick | August 26, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    force em is right Anal_ giggle

  45. Posted by trojan | August 26, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    disqus?

  46. Posted by Bonoboner | August 26, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    Bessar, I will always love you, no matter what occurs. Just stay alive, no matter what it takes, I will find you.

    The Last of the Bonobos

  47. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 3:57 PM

    I didn’t realize SAC let people film their trading floor, especially during market hours.

  48. Posted by Bonoboner | August 26, 2010 at 4:02 PM

    Is this the real Bessar Levin? For reals? For real for reals?

  49. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    For reals reals. And jos.a.bankhard isn’t going anywhere.

  50. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    Yes you silly old ham. How else will I know where to meet Tax_Chick?

  51. Posted by Hindykras | August 26, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    Agreed.

  52. Posted by Hindykras | August 26, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    Agreed.

  53. Posted by Pfluger the Barbarian | August 26, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    Fucking accountants designed DISQUS….

  54. Posted by Wowihavetoputinmyemail | August 26, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    if it aint broke dont fix it come on bess

  55. Posted by Hank Hardy Unruh | August 26, 2010 at 5:14 PM

    Look, I’m sure that whomever invented the fabulous new DISQUS system is (a) a very nice person; (b) somebody’s nephew; (c) from a disadvantaged background; (d) handicapped, or whatever. But we need the damn comment #s.

  56. Posted by Tax_Chick | August 26, 2010 at 5:23 PM

    Meet me at Minetta Tavern. I’ll be the one wearing grey slacks and a dark blue polo oxford. You’ll know it’s me because you’ll be able to tell by the look on my face that i’m very ready for a threesome. please disregard the penis.

  57. Posted by Anal_yst | August 26, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    Exactly.

  58. Posted by HAM05 | August 26, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    tax knows whats up

  59. Posted by Permaguest | August 26, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    That mean we get to get drunk every night and go to “love hotels” for an hour or so during the trading day?

  60. Posted by Anonymous | August 26, 2010 at 6:26 PM

    Actually, it was “broke.” The commenting system was part of the reason for the constant crashes and apparently the new system will alleviate much of that. Also? I don’t make the decisions re: tech stuff so you can direct the bitching elsewhere.

  61. Posted by whomever | August 26, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    Hank Harhar Unruh I believe you mean whoever.

  62. Posted by RUkidding | August 26, 2010 at 7:10 PM

    Uh, yeah. Because it’s working so much better now

  63. Posted by Anonymous | August 27, 2010 at 12:49 AM

    Tax_Chick: So sorry to stand you up but I had to work this afternoon Raincheck?
    PS I have a penis too. Oh what fun we will have.

  64. Posted by Laettnernc | August 27, 2010 at 3:10 AM

    LMF is one weird looking bitch…

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