Merrill's Million Dollar Men

While the investment bank Merrill Lynch was drowning in losses last year and looking for a savior to avert going out of business altogether (Bank of American eventually bought them), the following received million dollar bonuses:

[source: "The Wall Street Journal"]

• Thomas Montag: He was handed a $39.4 million pay package and Merrill stock awards valued at approximately $50 million. The stock awards were issued to replace stock he held in Goldman Sachs Group Inc., his previous employer.
• Andrea Orcel: He got $33.8 million in 2008. His 2007 package included a special $12 million bonus for advising Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC and other acquirers of ABN Amro Holdings NV, a now-troubled deal.
• Peter Kraus: Given a $29.4 million contract and Merrill stock to replace his holdings in Goldman, where he used to work.
  
• David Gu: He made $18.7 million in 2008, down from $19.8 million in 2007.
• David Goodman: Merrill paid him $16.5 million in 2007 and another $16.5 million in 2008.

If you're wondering where your pay package is, contact your U.S. Representative or Senator.

Consumer Confidence All-time Low, Stocks Rise Sharply

American consumer confidence hit a historic low today. Or at least so says a survey.

(Background: The Conference Board reported today that its February consumer confidence index fell to a historic low. The survey is based on a sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The monthly survey is conducted for The Conference Board by TNS, a very large Dutch media company.)

How low is confidence? The # cited in the survey is 25, in 1985 it was 100.

Another survey of sorts, the stock market, rose sharply this afternoon. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.5% (and climbing) as of around 3pm Eastern Time (US). Yes, that's a huge turnaround from yesterday.

Was there any other news? Yes, one thing, Fed Reserve Chairman Bernanke said he doesn't think banks should be nationalized even though the biggest among them (Citi and Bank of America) are worth less than the billions the U.S. government gave them as part of the TARP plan.

Mr. Bernanke had no other solution to offer.

So what's going on here? Answer: no one really know. Sure there will be a lot of talking (heads) on CNBC and Bloomberg and headlines in tomorrow's newspapers about the stock market rebound, but there really is no reason for enthusiasm. The insolvent banks are still insolvent and there is no solution on how to make them healthier.

“The measures taken by the Federal Reserve, other U.S. government entities, and foreign governments since September have helped to restore a degree of stability to some financial markets.” - Mr. Bernanke

With what can only be called "irrational exuberance" Mr. Bernanke's comments seems to be following in the footsteps of his predecessor - blind belief in the ability for things to work themselves out.