Welcome Back! I have to admit that seeing the S&P 500 index back in “quadruple digit status” makes me just a bit nostalgic. So do you remember where you were the last time the S&P closed above 1,000? For me, the memories are a bit hazy as our twins were born October 21, and since the last time we saw this level occurred on November 4th, I was a good fortnight into sleep deprivation.
Actually the bigger question might be if you remember where you were the first day this side of 2004 when you saw the S&P close below the 1,000 mark. The date was October seventh and being a bit of a pack rat, I still have the Wall Street Journal for Oct 8th in which the headline reads:
US, Britain Up Ante in Fight to Stop Crisis
Obviously, that fight had a long way to go as the S&P eventually dropped another 33% before hitting rock bottom just off the illustrious 666 level. The trip down memory lane is more than just “for old times sake” – it’s important to realize just how far we have come and what issues caused (and prolonged) this financial crisis. Here are a few additional noteworthy headlines:
Sept 13: Crisis on Wall Street as Lehman Totters, Merrill Seeks Buyer, AIG Hunts for Cash
The article explains that after bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just one week prior, the government refused to provide a financial backstop to potential buyers of Lehman
Sept 17: U.S. Plans Rescue of AIG to Halt Crisis; Central Banks Inject Cash as Credit Dries Up
“The Federal Reserve appeared to be motivated in part by worries that Wall Street’s financial crisis could begin to spill over into seemingly safe investments held by small investors such as money-market funds that invest in AIG debt.” I honestly don’t think that the Fed had any idea of the magnitude of what they were dealing with yet.
Sept 20: U.S. Bailout Plan Calms Markets, But Struggle Looms Over Details
The accompanying picture includes SEC Chairman Cox, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernanke walking solemnly behind President Bush. The “in process” treasury plan was revealed and was