The bond insurance crisis has worsened. Banks and securities firms may have to sock away billions of dollars more in reserves.
Moody's Investor Services estimates that about 20 different financial institutions have about about $120 billion worth of credit default swaps on asset-backed collateralized debt obligations guaranteed with different bond insurers.
If bond insurers like Ambac (ABK) and MBIA (MBI) were stripped of their 'AAA' rating, that could spark the next wave of writedowns at the nation's largest financial firms.
Credit rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's have threatened to downgrade the firms on fears they do not have the ability to pay claims on mortgage-backed securities that soured as a result of the credit crisis.
But Monday's market was a blessing in disguise when Mr Moody has no mood to strip naked Ambac of its 'AAA' ratings as it could reach an agreement today with a group of banks on a plan to raise capital to shore up its business.
Tracking the Dow on Monday,25/02/08
The trading day got a big spike when S&P reiterated its top-tier rating on Ambac, although it kept the company on its credit watch list. S&P also removed rival MBIA from its credit watch list.These news have saved insurers stocks from losing its pants and strip naked down.
Unfortunately near the closing bell,two hangman dojis were seen near the morning star.It's going to be hammered down in the follow through session---Profit-taking.
The long upper shadow (A) has been lighted by a bright new candlestick (B).If profit taking were to prevail it probably will return back to the tip of the graveyard doji (A).The overall phase is still under consolidation.