Sunday, December 13, 2009

CNBC: The Bubble Decade

CNBC has a new documentary about this past decade's economy called The Bubble Decade. Apparently it first aired last night, will air tonight and tomorrow night, and probably numerous times after that. Here's the synopsis:
In The Bubble Decade, a one-hour CNBC Original documentary, Correspondent David Faber reports on one of the most dramatic periods in the history of America’s financial markets. As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, Faber looks back at the tumultuous era, one marked by ambition and innovation, avarice and excess, and record highs – and lows – on Wall Street.

The sweeping story of the three economic bubbles that defined the decade begins with the tech bubble, its apex marked by AOL’s audacious takeover of Time Warner. The deal signified the heights and hope of the dot-com boom, a chapter that saw the creation of scores of high-flying internet companies, many of which would die an early death. The middle of the decade brought the housing boom and the formation of the real estate bubble. It was the age of easy money, with banks all too eager to fund new construction, and developers and homeowners all too eager to take on loans they couldn’t afford. The last bubble of the decade to burst was the credit bubble, exemplified by private equity firms awash in money and on the lookout for takeover targets. In some cases, these private equity deals and leveraged buyouts resulted in a lucky few making a fortune, with the targeted company loaded up with debt and ruined in the process.

The rollercoaster ride of the past decade is told through the people who lived it: some who made millions, some who lost millions, and some who did both. Faber profiles Internet entrepreneurs, real estate speculators, and corporate takeover specialists. In addition to reporting the taped segments, Faber will moderate two panels of key players who shaped the biggest financial stories of the decade.
It's hard to believe this decade is almost over. Each decade goes by faster than the last.

Show times:
  • Sunday, December 13th 10p ET
  • Monday, December 14th 8p ET

5 comments:

  1. 1st) Blue Chip bubble
    2nd) Tech stock bubble
    3rd) 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks
    4th) Real estate bubble

    Add: high unemployment, H1-B Visas, China manufacturing behemoth, illegal immigration to the USA, and a S&P 500 that is currently 22% below the level it was at 10 years ago.

    That is what has has happened ove the last 10 years.

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  2. it certainly has been an interesting decade. With the way things move so quickly now, who knows what the next decade will bring.

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  3. I have suspected for a while that a problem we have is that money was too cheap and easy - it was racing all over the world chasing higher returns. I suppose part of it is that people were no longer satisfied with more conservative rates of return and were willing to bet on riskier things.

    A huge amount of money has evaporated. I don't know if it is enough - I suspect there will be many that are looking to "double-down" to try and win back what they lost.

    I saw the program last night, and it was interesting to see people reflect on what it was that went on..

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  4. Pretty lame and superficial special.

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  5. how about you focus on the NAHB index that dipped to 16 today!!!

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