Credit losses may surpass 10 pct of U.S. GDP

[UpInArms]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Credit losses from the financial crisis may exceed even dire estimates of $1.4 trillion, or more than 10 percent of U.S. economic output, according to the chief strategist of research firm CreditSights.

Financial and non-financial loss estimates by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank may be too conservative as the economy weakens and companies and consumers focus on repaying debt, Louise Purtle said on Wednesday.

"What does life after leverage look like?" asked Purtle, during a credit conference in New York. "We're not prepared for it. The great danger looking into 2009 is being too optimistic."

Most indicators suggest no easy fix, she said. U.S. existing home sales indicate there are about 1 million extra homes that can't be sold. Defaults and delinquencies for home loans continue to climb, adding to the 6.9 million foreclosures over the past three years.

U.S. consumer confidence is at its worst levels, exceeding pessimism seen during the 1970s, she said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1254981520081112

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Worse confidence than the 70's? Ouch

[liberal N proud]

2. What is the last line of the article all about?

The answer is not 'yes we can,' but the answer is "yes we are,"


Yes we are what? SCREWED!

[aquart]

3. My, that was a spree.

[Javaman]

4. and now we can see the tsunami on the horizon...

better run inland, this wave won't be pleasant.