Showing posts with label VIX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VIX. Show all posts

Sunday, August 19, 2007

The Bernanke uncertainty

After all the last week's turmoil, people are much more uncomfortable. We are like in a big nine meters sea, particularly if you look to the volatility: The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index stayed near the highest since 2003 after the Fed unexpectedly reduced the rate it charges banks for loans on Aug. 17 .

The Friday's comeback, probably was a technical rebound together with an emotional reaction to the FED's reduction. This confirms our vision: The Fed said it reduced the discount rate to 5.75 percent because risks to economic growth have risen ``appreciably.'' The statement was a departure from the previous week, when central bankers kept rates unchanged a ninth straight time and reiterated inflation was their ``predominant'' concern.

But after all, we will focus in these two main issues:
  • Goldman Sachs Group Inc., whose hedge funds lost $3 billion in August after the S&P 500 declined 6.9 percent from a July 19 record, said in a letter to investors last week that a ``significant investment opportunity'' now exists.
  • The Fed's actions have been less predictable for investors since Chairman Ben S. Bernanke took over in February 2006 after more than 18 years under Alan Greenspan's leadership.