Tuesday March 30 2021
Here is another story on Archegos meltdown last Friday.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/one-world-greatest-hidden-fortunes-002617417.html
I wonder how many more Bill Hwang's are out there, borrowing more and more, higher and higher leverage, and losses all around when the margin calls arrive.A popular idea in the late 1980s was the concept of portfolio insurance. But when the sell off hit in October 1987, PI made the selling just that much worse, the opposite of what a hedge was supposed to do.
this reminds me of Long Term Capital Management.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-Term_Capital_Management
not all fraudsters intend to defraud, consider the case of Nick Leeson who destroyed Barrings Bank.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Leeson
What is all the fuss about? It seems like Hwang made a big bet, and lost. He knew what he was doing. When you play double or nothing, sometimes you end up with nothing.
What I wonder is why any banks lost. Why would they lend to a trader without asking for collateral?
Posted by: Eric B Rasmusen | March 31, 2021 at 10:02 AM