2008 - The Year That Was ...

The year that was …

Its time to say “Cheers” as the end of 2008 nears,
but lets tread with caution as we still have the market-fears.

Looking at 2008 through my eyes,
hardly any Hurrays, but a lot of sighs.

The subprime losses mounted from Million to Trillion,
evidently the economy was having a bad run.

The numbers came out and the story unfolded,
it saw some Management fired and many others scolded.

As the numbers turned from green to red,
moist eyes started turning to the Fed.

While all eyes stayed glued to the Mr. Bernanke,
none was in a mood to go for a turnkey.

Write downs, and more of write downs,
had left no smiles, but only frowns.

The saying echoed as many firms were badly hit,
“Talk the talk, only if you are financially fit!”

Brokers saw, brokers waited, brokers saw and then traded,
their path was bumpy, but they still treaded,
Alas! What happened was what they dreaded,
they fought to survive, as most faded.

The prices falling and markets tumbling,
had left all investments dwindling.
The bears merrying and the bulls left crying,
had left the investor sentiment just about dying,

Freddie-Fannie and AIG got some fuel in the tank but Lehman sank,
though MS and Goldman survived, they are now a Bank.

The year was tough and difficult to cope,
but lets welcome 2009 with glee and hope.

As we hope to have more clients in our Greenbook,
we have our tools CIQ, FactSet and good’ol Bluebook.

As we strive hard to strike even more deals,
we will have more late nights and more resulting keels,
no sleep and no rest - indeed tough it feels,
albeit better than the firing drills!

That we survived the year, leaves the battle half won,
when we actually come out of the crisis is where lies the real fun!

But now,

Forget the fears as Christmas nears,
Listen to the seers and just say “Cheers”

Forget the fears as Christmas nears,
Listen to the seers and just say “Cheers”