Marketplace Whiteboard
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Capital structure
In stories about the auto companies and the banks, we've been hearing about debt-to-equity swaps and exchanging preferred shares for common stock. To understand how those work, you need to understand a company's capital structure. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Hostile takeovers
We all know what a takeover is. That's when one company agrees to be bought by another. But what happens when companies don't agree and the takeover goes hostile? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Derivatives
Credit default swaps? They're complicated -- and scary! The receipt you get when you pre-order your Thanksgiving turkey? Not so much. But they have a lot in common: They're both derivatives. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Bonds, notes and bills
So much government debt! But what's the difference between the Treasury's bills, notes and bonds? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Inflation
Most economists agree that inflation of about 2% or 3% annually is a natural function of a growing economy. But people are worried government stimulus measures could spark much higher inflation. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains
High-frequency trading
High-frequency trading is creating a ruckus on Wall Street. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what high-frequency trading is and why some people are up in arms about it.
Factoring
Many small businesses get the cash they need to operate and expand from so-called factors. One of the biggest factors in the business is CIT, and with CIT on the ropes, small businesses are worried. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what factoring is, and how it works.
Financial alchemy
Many asset-backed securities have been downgraded from AAA recently. But at least one issuer has miraculously repackaged a downgraded deal to make some of its bonds worth a AAA rating again. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Where's the toxic waste?
Banks are paying back TARP money and claiming they're the picture of health. So what happened to all those toxic assets that were clogging their arteries a few months back? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Dark pools
Dark pools are exchanges where people trade stocks anonymously. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how they work, and why the SEC is considering regulating them.
The 'repo' market
Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains why the repurchase (or repo) market is a vital part of the financial system, and why the government is considering changes to it.
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Comments
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From Winter Haven, FL, 08/10/2009
Could you (Paddy Hirsch) do a lesson on options trading?
From Los Angeles, CA, 05/11/2009
I am in love with Paddy Hirsch! Seriously, Paddy does an outstanding job of explaining complex structures and transactions in a way everyone can understand. Kudos to Paddy and Marketplace! His whiteboard presentations demonstrate how well he understands the arcane world of corporate finance. Thanks again for well conceived explanations.
From NY, NY, 05/10/2009
All this mess is the folly of Bush and Neo Cons in Iraq. Understand this mess but also the mess created by the lies and deceptions of Neo Cons in Iraq and Afghanistan.
05/09/2009
Hi Andrew
I hope all is going well with you in Iraq. I don't know if you're reading up on this for a specific course of study or just to inform yourself about what's going on with the economy, but if there's anything I can do, please let me know.
I'd like to express my support and appreciation to you and to all your comrades-in-arms.
Keep your head down out there.
paddy
05/09/2009
I am deployed to Iraq and have been trying to make sense of what's going on through reading and my own study. These videos have explained so much more about what I have been reading about and help me get more out of my other studies. Thank you so much for these...I'm hooked.
From Chicago, 05/08/2009
Paddy Hirsch is a pro-simplifying the complex issues of finace and wall street the scare the hell out of most.
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