Why an S&P 500 Record Will Mean More to You Than the Dow's Highs
The Dow has been setting records for the past two weeks, so why should you care if the S&P 500 follows? Because the S&P 500 says much more about the U.S. economy. Here's why:
american international group
How to Pick the Best Stocks: CEO Candor Predicts Performance
When smart investors consider a stock, they look at profit margins, revenue growth, and a raft of ratios to decide if it's a good buy. But beyond those measurements, here's a subtle and simple guideline that can give you real insight about a company's prospects: How honest is its management?
AIG May Join Bailout Suit Against U.S. Government
The insurer, rescued by the U.S. government in 2008 with a bailout that ultimately totaled $182 billion, may now join a lawsuit against the government alleging the terms of the deal were unfair. The move would be something of a shock development given that AIG just launched a high-profile television ad campaign called "Thank you, America."
Treasury Has Sold Its Last Shares of AIG (and Turned a Profit, Too)
The Treasury Department said Tuesday that it has sold all its remaining shares of AIG, wrapping up the government's biggest bailout of the financial crisis. With this sale, the government has received $22.7 billion more than the $182 billion in support it provided to AIG during the crisis.
Stocks Edge Higher Despite Monti Shocker; McDonald's Boosts Dow
Stocks inched higher on Wall Street Monday after a November sales report at McDonald's helped offset concerns about the surprise resignation of Italy's prime minister, Mario Monti, who has been credited with restoring confidence in Italy's economy.
Dear President Obama: Sell the Government's GM Stake Now
Dear Mr. President: I know you're proud of the effort made by your team back in 2009 to save General Motors. You should be. But as good as this GM thing has been for you, with the election now over, it's time to let go and direct the Treasury to sell its stake in General Motors.
Treasury Sells Big Chunk of AIG Stock at a Profit
The U.S. government cut its stake in American International Group Inc to about 21.5 percent on Monday, making a profit of $12.4 billion on the insurer's crisis-era bailout and bringing the unpopular rescue closer to its end.
Treasury to Cut AIG Stake Below Half in $18 Billion Sale
The U.S. government is selling more of its shares in insurer American International Group, in a move that should decrease its holdings below a majority stake for the first time since the $182 billion bailout in 2008.
Credit Default Swaps: Still Here, Still Able to Wreak Havoc
JPMorgan Chase's rapid $2 billion trading loss reportedly involved credit default swaps -- the same investments that played such a large role in the financial crisis. Here's why credit default swaps still pose such a threat to the U.S. economy.
AIG vs. Bank of America: Banks Vie for 2012 Comeback King Title
AIG is on its way to eclipsing Bank of America as the turnaround story of 2012 as it prepares to report earnings after Thursday's close. Analyst bullishness and a New York Fed asset sale have shareholders pumped.
The Taxpayers' $9 Million CEOs: Think of Them As an Investment
News that the Treasury Department had frozen or reduced executive salaries at companies bailed out under TARP prompted a range of reactions, but here's one you probably didn't hear.
Top Executives at Bailed-Out Firms Have Pay Cut
Nearly 70 top executives at three companies bailed out by the taxpayers during the 2008 financial crisis -- AIG, Ally Financial and GM -- were ordered to take pay 10% cuts by the federal government, and the CEOs had their pay frozen at 2011 levels.
Uncle Sam's Big Bailout Win: A $25 Billion Profit for Taxpayers
Whether or not you think the billions invested in saving the financial industry was worth the cost, the banks were saved. And at least one of those bailouts actually turned a big profit.
Treasury's Big Stake Weighs on AIG's Stock Price
During the past month, AIG stock fell nearly 10% drop after an announcement that the government would sell some of its stake in the insurance giant. The Treasury's ownership in the company has declined from 92% to 77%, but the prospect of its future sell-offs are holding the stock down.
More Businesses Are Jumping on the iPad Bandwagon
As Apple fans line up to snag an iPad 2 when they go on sale Friday, individual consumers won't be the only ones purchasing them. Analysts explain why corporate America is increasingly adopting the popular tablet computer.
House Votes to End 'Car Czar,' 'Pay Czar' Posts
Republicans in the House of Representatives voted Thursday to eliminate the Obama administration's "car czar," as well as the "pay czar" who oversees compensation at companies bailed out with TARP money, and seven other presidential advisers.
AIG Sells Stake in Taiwanese Insurance Company
In a second attempt to sell its 97.6% stake in Nan Shan Life Insurance, a Taiwanese insurer, American International Group has agreed to a $2.16 billion deal with the Ruen Chen consortium. But regulators nixed another sale agreement just five months ago. Will this deal go through?
AIG Reaches $450 Million Settlement Over Premium Reporting Practices
American International Group will payout a $450 million settlement to seven insurance companies over allegations it under-reported workers' compensation policy premiums.
AIG's Nan Shan Unit Attracts Multiple Buyout Bids
AIG, which wants to spin off its Taiwan-based Nan Shan Life Insurance unit, has a few live ones nibbling on the line to snap it up, according to a Bloomberg report. The company has disclosed in an SEC filing that Nan Shan has attracted unsolicited offers ranging from $2.15 billion to $3 billion.
Exit Strategy: AIG's Plan to Repay Taxpayers
Insurance giant American International Group on Wednesday signed an agreement with the government that details its plan to repay its government loans. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that the government plans to sell much of AIG's stock in the next few months.
AIG Sells $2 Billion in Bonds
Bailed-out insurance giant American International Group sold $2 billion of bonds in its first debt offering since it was rescued in 2008. The offering was an important test of whether investors think the insurer can stand on its own.
Fed to Name Firms That Claimed $3.3T in Emergency Aid
The plan to publish the names of recipients of emergency aid during the financial crisis marks "A significant step forward in opening the veil of secrecy that exists in one of the most powerful agencies in government," one senator said.
Was Washington Right to Bail Out GM and Wall Street?
Historians will look back on Washington's bailout of GM and Wall Street as the right move. That's because it's now clear that the costs of doing nothing would have been far higher, and it turns out that taxpayers may suffer only limited losses on this economic Hail Mary pass.