Comments on: Is Buffett Bullish, Or Just Full Of Bull? http://www.nusamsoapbox.com/2009/03/05/is-buffett-bullish-or-just-full-of-bull/ Sam Friedman, NU Editor in Chief Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:21:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Matthew O'Mara, BearingPoint http://www.nusamsoapbox.com/2009/03/05/is-buffett-bullish-or-just-full-of-bull/comment-page-1/#comment-2079 Matthew O'Mara, BearingPoint Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:35:48 +0000 http://nusamsoapbox.com/2009/03/05/is-buffett-bullish-or-just-full-of-bull/#comment-2079 I agree with the sentiments of Mr. Buffet, and by extension, Mr. Friedman. While investment income has taken a hit recently, Insurance organizations were in a soft market before the recent issues came to the fore. They have worked to maintain pricing discipline. They are focused on operational efficiency, making strategic investments operationally in the policy administration, billing and claims functions. While the end of the economic tunnel is not yet 100% in sight, footprint contraction by firms (both by product and by geography) should begin to harden markets and improve overall combined ratios. This will only position firms better for when the investment arena begins to improve. I agree with the sentiments of Mr. Buffet, and by extension, Mr. Friedman.

While investment income has taken a hit recently, Insurance organizations were in a soft market before the recent issues came to the fore.

They have worked to maintain pricing discipline. They are focused on operational efficiency, making strategic investments operationally in the policy administration, billing and claims functions.

While the end of the economic tunnel is not yet 100% in sight, footprint contraction by firms (both by product and by geography) should begin to harden markets and improve overall combined ratios.

This will only position firms better for when the investment arena begins to improve.

]]> By: Sue http://www.nusamsoapbox.com/2009/03/05/is-buffett-bullish-or-just-full-of-bull/comment-page-1/#comment-2078 Sue Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:17:45 +0000 http://nusamsoapbox.com/2009/03/05/is-buffett-bullish-or-just-full-of-bull/#comment-2078 I don't think the economy will begin its climb from our current slide to 1996 figures until the Treasury Department has a plan. Tim Geithner, the new Secretary of the Treasury (yeah, the guy who couldn't pay his taxes to the Treasury like the rest of us) does not even have his staff/deputies hired yet. How can Wall Street gain confidence from this inaction during a crisis which he is ultimately in charge of? Also, how can Wall Street gain confidence from this same man who was a deputy under the last administration, which was faulted for dropping the ball last fall? When Mr. Geithner spoke before Congress last month, Wall Street was listening with baited breath to hear his plan. He had none. I don’t think the economy will begin its climb from our current slide to 1996 figures until the Treasury Department has a plan.

Tim Geithner, the new Secretary of the Treasury (yeah, the guy who couldn’t pay his taxes to the Treasury like the rest of us) does not even have his staff/deputies hired yet.

How can Wall Street gain confidence from this inaction during a crisis which he is ultimately in charge of?

Also, how can Wall Street gain confidence from this same man who was a deputy under the last administration, which was faulted for dropping the ball last fall?

When Mr. Geithner spoke before Congress last month, Wall Street was listening with baited breath to hear his plan.

He had none.

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