In: Commentary Source: Washington Post Stock Market US Economy
10 Dec 2008An interesting article on why nothing was done before the crisis exploded:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/09/AR2008120902816_pf.html
and a related online discussion:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/12/09/DI2008120901766.html?sid=ST2008120903238&s_pos=list
In: Interactive Maps Reference
8 Dec 2008It’s a bit off-topic, but this is a beautiful example of an interactive drill-down map, from Mother Jones.
An addictive collection of beautiful charts, graphs, maps, and interactive data visualization toys -- on topics from around the world.
Buybacks and Dividends
In: Bailout Commentary Stock Market US Economy
10 Dec 2008Floyd Norris — NYT
December 10, 2008, 11:31 am
Shareholder Value
Three numbers, courtesy of Howard Silverblatt of Standard & Poor’s, shed some light on what companies did with their cash during boom times:
Over the last four years, since the buyback boom began, from the fourth quarter of 2004 through the third quarter of 2008, companies in the S.&P. 500 showed:
Reported earnings: $2.42 trillion
Stock buybacks: $1.73 trillion
Dividends: $0.91 trillion
As a group, every dime they made, and more, went to shareholders. Roughly $2 went to shareholders who sold out for every $1 that was paid in dividends to shareholders who held on to their shares.
article and discussion: http://norris.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/shareholder-value/