October 19 - October 25, 2008
Friday, Oct. 24
Yes, it's come down to this: The nation's largest public pension fund needs cash.
The company is contributing $100,000 to defeat the ballot measure that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
"We let it get out of control," says the head of the organization that puts on the annual conference in Switzerland.
Well, it could have been worse. But there's always Monday....
Here is another unexpected consequence of having a knotted up financial network that's in the process of unraveling.
There's talk in Hollywood circles - to what extent is unclear - that the VP candidate would be a strong candidate to host a talk show.
Gas under $3, big layoffs at Chrysler, home sales jump in SFV, and developers opposing Santa Monica cap.
The real question is whether anyone starts buying after the early bloodshed.
Thursday, Oct. 23
The Bev Hills billionaire has not only lost several hundred million dollars in Ford, but a big chunk in MGM Mirage.
The Investor's Business Daily tracking poll has McCain within one point of Obama. But look closer at the numbers.
The former Fed chairman was “shocked, shocked” to find that gambling was taking place in the financial markets.
Declining revenue, deeper-than-expected cuts - the numbers look so bad that the company is in danger of defaulting on its debt.
The explanation seems to be a new law that requires lenders to contact borrowers at least 30 days prior to a notice of default.
Foreclosures are trimmed, lottery sales down, Redstone says he's not selling CBS or Viacom, and actors talks to resume.
Well, so far. The Dow is actually up a bit after 30 minutes of trading - despite all kinds of...
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Like most any investor, the nation's largest public pension fund has taken it on the chin. The question is how much?
Dow down more than 600 points. *Make that 514 points. From the NYT: Improvements in the credit markets — including...
Super-bear and man-about-town Nouriel Roubini is back on the air, scaring the bejesus out of everybody.
Much of Wachovia's $24 billion third quarter loss is tied to pay-option mortgages that were inherited through the purchase of Golden West.
Redstone files for divorce, Boeing loses satellite case, FDIC to lease space in OC, and California maintains its A-plus rating.
Fears about the credit crunch have morphed into fears about weak earnings and a prolonged recession.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize Sarah Palin.
While Socal saw a 65 percent jump in home sales last month, sales of non-foreclosed homes fell from year-ago levels.
Try this out after cracking open your latest brokerage statement. Trust me - you'll feel better.
The upward slog will not be easy, especially given the not-so-hot earnings that are being reported.
Yeah, the Dow is still down more than 5,000 points from its high, but at least traders are back to discussing earnings results.
The Bev Hills billionaire is still a billionaire, but he's also taken huge hits at MGM Mirage and Delta Petroleum.
Both he and McCain have taken advantage of several loopholes in the campaign finance laws to score big money.
Wall Street shows stability (for now), Kerkorian pulls out of Ford, Icahn buys into Lions Gate, and pump prices keep dropping.
Monday, Oct. 20
There's clearly improvement, which helps explain why the Dow is up more the 300 points.
There had been speculation about what the former CEO of KB Home might do after his legal troubles were resolved.
September's housing numbers continue the pattern we've seen in L.A. County for some months now.
Credit markets are thawing, SAG wants federal mediator, NBC Universal to make cuts, and Disney Hall turns five.
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The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
More From Mark Lacter:
After 22 years of loyalty, Baylor is unceremoniously shown the door.
Before I lived in Echo Park, there was a tiny 1920s bungalow-cottage-standalone house on N. Occidental in Silver Lake. I...
