Sep

26

V NThe news about a bank that bought a big savings and loan in 2006 and now has 20 billion of losses on the assets bought, and whose stock is down 80% this year, brings out another qualitative point about human nature. "Why sell my company?" the NCZ ad ran. The answer was pictured in the next frame: "fire and lightning were about to strike".

There is always an avalanche of sellers in an industry right before it is ready to go down the tubes. The conglomerates always get stuck with these. And once they run out of accounting maneuvers, the piper must be paid, as in this case. Usually the sellers insist that the deal have no contingent liabilities or warranties. That the buyer conduct his due diligence, and then never come back at them. "It wouldn't be feasible, as we're a public company" or "the outside stockholders would never go for that potential hanging over their heads."

Buyers should beware when almost all firms in an industry are for sale. And it takes more than 10 minutes and a one-page contract, and the willingness of the seller to find a home where the buyer won't interfere, to protect yourself. Query: When will the chickens come to roost for those active in this area in the corn belt?


Comments

Name

Email

Website

Speak your mind

6 Comments so far

  1. Anonymous on September 26, 2008 11:40 am

    your english is appaling….in spite of your apparent autodidactic interests it is amazing how grammatically inaccurate and inarticulate you are

     [Editor: usually the word English is capitalized. Appalling takes two L's. Also a sentence requires a period at the end.  Have a nice day.]

  2. michael bonderer on September 26, 2008 12:27 pm

    Grammar! We don't need no stinking grammar here.

  3. Dave Bacon on September 26, 2008 1:16 pm

    The comment on “english” made my morning. Thank you, anonymous! You join the rank of other anonymous commenters that have similarly made my day for their impeccable timing (and beautiful cowardice.)

  4. George Parkanyi on September 26, 2008 1:59 pm

    I'd love to stay and tussle over grammar, but I have to catch my 2:45 flight to quality.

  5. iconoclast! on September 26, 2008 4:09 pm

    grammar itself does not stink….interesting response from the acolyte….and entirely predictable…'WE'…'NEED'…'HERE'…

    fairplay to the editor, but over the years i have repeatedly been struck by the contrast between the eccentric grandiosity of vic and laurel's ideas and their poor expression

  6. mulholland drive street racer on September 26, 2008 4:16 pm

    yeah, yeah, yeah, ok, get the grammar thought. what’s happening in your world that can offer some insights into a market you may be close to?

Archives

Resources & Links

Search