The Federal Reserve continues to unwind the various Maiden Lane portfolios at a really nice profit for taxpayers.  Once the Federal Reserve sells the remaining portion of Maiden Lane III AIG should be pretty much done owing any more money.  According to Bloomberg the central bank is owed almost $9 billion on its loan to...Read More

Research in Motion (RIMM) is in talks to hire a financial advisor to evaluate the best way to monetize their assets.  I think that this is a very positive development and that the company should be very proactive in reevaluating their options.  Patent sales and operating system licensing seem to be quite attractive options, and...Read More

It looks like renowned hedge fund manager John Paulson is betting against European debt.  It would be interesting to know if he is using credit default swaps against countries or specific companies.  Paulson made most of his money through buying credit default swaps on subprime CDO’s so this type of situation is right up his...Read More

In what can only be described as grand theft, Argentine President Christina Kirchner is proposing to steal 51% of the country’s largest oil producer YPF.  This is a company that prior to this action was majority owned by Spain’s Repsol YPF (REPYY, REP.MC), and it is a clear warning shot to investors seeking opportunities in the...Read More

It’s not surprising that after last week Spain is looking for help from the ECB through the purchasing of bonds in the secondary market.  I think the ECB should definitely get involved while making sure Spain understands that their help is contingent upon them cutting the fat our of their budget.  The ultimate costs will...Read More

Arnold Van Den Berg is the Co-Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of Century Management and he recently gave a speech to the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems.  I don’t want to steal his thunder as the speech is wonderful and is well worth your time.  It’s pretty tough to argue against his...Read More

George Soros is an investor that I have a tough time following but that I respect a great deal due to his deep and thoughtful understanding of macroeconomics.  His notion of reflexivity and the impacts it can have on markets is fascinating yet difficult for my mind to totally grasp.  In this effort he makes...Read More

It doesn’t get much better than Lecuadia (LUK) when it comes to value investing.  These low profile investors have bought and sold a variety of different businesses in different industries and during the process have accumulated one of the best track records in the business.  Between 1979-2011 they have compounded book value by 19.1%.  This...Read More

One of my favorite investor’s is Bill Ackman of Pershing Square.  He develops a detailed investment thesis, builds a large position, and is willing to be very public about recommending changes create more shareholder value.  His effort on General Growth Properties was one of the best investments that I had ever seen.  This video provides...Read More

Distressed investor Wilbur Ross is one of the truly great contrarian investors and in this interview he gives his insight in marine transport, shale gas, among other topics.  Ross also has large investments in the bond insurer Assured Guaranty (AGO) and Bank of Ireland (IRE).  He looks at investments from a much longer perspective than...Read More