American Fortune Life
Chapter 720: America needs new idols
At 7 am on October 1, 2007, then US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson was eager to drive to the Federal Reserve. Because of a business trip last week, he missed the weekly breakfast meeting with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, during the difficult period of the subprime crisis, which disturbed him.
On this day, UBS suddenly released a report saying that due to the crisis in the US subprime mortgage market, bank losses exceeded CHF 4 billion, or about US $ 3.0 billion.
Before Paulson arrived, Bernanke received an e-mail from a Federal Reserve staff member, who had a preliminary understanding of the latest market developments. Due to the effects of jet lag, the European trading day is coming to an end and the US market has not yet begun. Bernanke knows this will be a bad day.
I thought that entering October will have a good start. After all, the market returned to calm a month ago, and house prices also rebounded slightly. The financial crisis seems to have passed. In the second and third quarters of 2007, the increase in US economic output Nearly 4%, the unemployment rate has remained low.
As a result, Bernanke has also concluded to the media that "the impact of the subprime mortgage market inquiry on the broader economy and financial markets seems likely to be contained."
After Paulson and Bernanke sat opposite each other in the restaurant, Bernanke looked at the financial section of the latest Wall Street Journal and smiled bitterly: "This Andy Smith is really ..."
Paulson also shook his head and smiled bitterly. He also understood the embarrassment of his old friend Bernanke. After all, he just came to the conclusion of the interview. The next day, the media took the words of Andy Smith, the most popular financial prodigy. The face is really a little hurt.
"In fact, Bernanke's judgment was wrong. It was only a brief silence before the storm." Quote from Andy Smith
"Every time I see this report from Andy Smith, I will feel really old. See, there are beautiful women everywhere, and the Italian goddess takes his child to travel with him in Paris, which is an enviable kid." Paulson didn't want to make his friends too embarrassing, and looked at the entertainment version with a ridicule.
Bernanke just smiled a little bit at the topic of the divergence, okay, most men are envious of the kid who is much younger, after all, Americans are really very interested in Andy Smith ’s gossip scandal, even with women Friends, there are never fewer beauties around, and they are of all ages, but what makes people jealous is that they are all goddess-level, and many people are not malicious, and Andy Smith's good teeth.
Especially this senior beauty like Monica Bellucci who is now in Paris, cough, if the two really have a leg, then this is the proper Ipsos complex!
"Seriously, he didn't care about his refutation. However, I really hope that I am right. If his judgment is correct, the subprime mortgage crisis will turn into a financial storm. By then, the US economy will bear the brunt, Wall Street ... ... "
Bernanke didn't finish the words, but Paulson, the finance minister, naturally understood that his complexion was gloomy. Thinking of Andy Smith's invincibility in the financial market over the past year and all the current worth, he But I never really made a mistake.
The two looked up at each other in unison, and both saw anxiety in each other's eyes. After a brief silence, Paulson first said: "We can't ignore what he said, just let him report to the media before the crisis begins. In general, you must prepare early and not turn a blind eye to risks like market participants and regulators! "
Bernanke nodded wryly and said, "Now who can ignore this young man's words and look at gold, it is really ... according to my understanding, he bought 4 billion US dollars of gold at Bank of America, 174 tons per ounce $ 648. Look at it now, it has risen to $ 750 per ounce. Three months to lie down and make $ 600 million! This young man is making money too easily. "
"When the crisis comes, the most important thing is to see how the investor ’s mentality changes. When the stock market crashes, the risk aversion is very high. At this time, gold with monetary attributes enters the rising channel. It is only because the market believes that the US Federal Reserve The Commission is more likely to cut interest rates again. The US dollar is depreciating. Crude oil futures have remained high at US $ 81 per barrel, although they have surged back down. Both factors have contributed to the sharp rise in precious metal prices. "
Paulson took the breakfast delivered by the messenger, unfolded the napkin, took a sip in the goblet of water, held a knife and fork in his hand, cut the food, and said.
"Even if the market is worried about inflation triggered by the zero interest rate easing monetary policy, this winter, the Fed will frequently cut interest rates to release the pressure of the financial crisis. My biggest worry now is whether it will have an adverse effect. After all, under panic, Anything can happen. "
Bernanke's eyebrows have been wrinkled into Sichuan characters, and his own plans and concerns have been expressed. This is not his aimlessness. There have been too many examples of this. Sometimes in a panic mood, the more you save the city, the more you panic, you do n’t save. It just collapsed, and can only continue to add firewood to the vicious circle of fire until it passes.
The fact is the same. After the winter, frequent interest rate cuts, but unexpected declines in house prices have led to more mortgage loan losses. Financial stocks have been sluggish. The subprime mortgage crisis has become a financial crisis. Rush hour.
"Panic ..." Paulson also frowned, murmured in his mouth, and his brain was spinning rapidly. The market panic was often the biggest enemy to save the city, mainly because of the human heart. When I thought of this, I couldn't help but look at it. According to Bernanke, "If a Warren Buffett is not enough, then we set up another Andy Smith, and when they stand up, they may play a key role in stability."
Bernanke's gaze was also condensed, but he quickly shook his head a little disappointed, saying: "Buffett can mobilize a lot of funds, but those funds are not his personal, and Andy Smith's funds are completely personal, the most critical Still his age, do you think that his age will look down on wealth? "
"It's nothing more than interest. Buffett won't take it for nothing. As long as he is in a critical moment, pull him into the plan and put his interest in front of him. I think this greedy young man will not give up the opportunity. Will listen to our arrangements! "Paulson's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips slightly raised.
"His appetite is not too small. Look at the previous foot basin. Bank runs in France, especially in the UK. This Andy Smith has never been softened ... well, it is good to be a backup plan, after all, I don't know anything To what extent will it develop, then let the mainstream media increase his image publicity. "
Bernanke said, and finally shook his head and smiled at Paulson, after all, Warren Buffett was too old, and the United States needed a new icon.
Andy, who is in Paris, holding a beautiful baby in a toy store, doesn't know that many people in the United States are thinking about him.
"Is this? Wow, little Deva, your vision is so good!" Andy stood in front of a giant two-meter-tall teddy bear, holding the little beauty Deva, who was only three years old and still eating her fingers.
Little Deva giggled as he watched the big bear, reaching for his little finger to grab, "Bear, yes."
Monica, wearing a black suit, stood behind, with a faint smile on her face, and didn't care about paparazzi who took pictures on the door glass. The waistline of the blazer was deliberately constricted, making her softer, Feng Ni's figure is better.
Seeing the big boy who could make her die, her heart is still very happy. In the past two days, the baby room in her Paris residence has been filled with toys from Andy.
It seems Deva likes him very much, well, after all, an uncle who can meet all her requirements can easily please any child.
Dewa lay on the tui of the teddy bear and smiled happily, mumbled the Italian bear in his mouth, and looked at the big teddy bear more than two meters high. Monica couldn't help tearing it, and she heard it. Andy's voice, "Is there a new one? Okay, send one to this address ..."
"Andy, Deva's room has been filled with toys ..." Monica slowly walked forward and said softly.
"Then you should expand the room for Deva, shouldn't you? Deva." Andy, who was squatting with Deva, looked up at Monica and said nothing.