Anyone got any thoughts on the banks, think i will get into two of them late Friday afternoon, they all are down a lot and might be a few pounds to make. What do you think

Too much bad news still to come out of our banks in my view, leave well alone until all that news is out...and don't ask when that will be because no one knows the answer to that question.

As I have said on other threads, when they report on their exposure to sub-prime debts then the market will have to decide whether it's whithin expectations or not. Some french, german and american banks have all reported with big losses, so there is no reason to suppose that the british banks are going to be any exception, imo. Short term I think you can make money, but be ready to get out quickly.

Uncertainty will continue as long as the NRK problem is not resolved. Where are the BOE and the FSA? Dithering as usual like all good civil servants or are they too busy playing their violins!

I dont know, HBOS is the lowest since 2005 Lloyds since 2006 and RBS since 2003
I will see what happens tomorrow. i never hang around in and out, very happy with a small profit.

RBS and Barclays are each down over 40% since March this year. What does that tell you about the state of uncertaintly in the banking 'game'.

Royal Bank OF Scotla BROKERWATCH Barclays, RBS unlikely to face major writedowns - Sanford Bernstein




LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland Group are
unlikely to announce major write-downs as a result of the collapse of the US
subprime mortgage market, analysts at Sanford Bernstein said in a note today.
In the note, Barclays and RBS may have to write down 1.6 bln stg and 500 mln
stg respectively, with reduced profits of 3 bln stg and 3.5 bln stg
respectively, resulting in potential value reduction of 4.6 bln and 4.0 bln
respectively.
However, the total combined value reduction of 8.6 bln stg "still trails" the
27.6 bln stg combined fall in both banks' market capitalisation over the year to
date, analyst Antony Broadbent wrote in a note to investors.
Broadbent maintained his 'Outperform' ratings on both stocks.
"We conclude it is unlikely that either Barclays or RBS is going to announce
a large write-down," he wrote, adding that it is likely that the banks will take
the opportunity to reassure investors with "more information disclosure than
usual" in their trading updates later this month and early next month.

A bit of good news with the banks, anythoughts how long it will go on

Sure there is plenty of bad news to come but with that uncertainty comes great trading opportunities if you can time your ins and outs well, whether long or short, long live volatility, definitely not buy and hold I believe

no i am looking to get out tom late afternoon, still a lot of badish news to come i think but like you say get your profit and run

thinking of getting into RBS and BARC, BARC first then RBS should it release early and have a nice stint up.

i hope you make a bit on them but they scare me at the moment, i'm out tom and will wait and see what the end of the week brings

Just seen this on the Moneyam Traders' Report:

"This week is all about news and I think the news releases this week will dictate which way the markets move next, in a way we haven't seen for quite some time. In the UK RBS are reporting their trading update on Thursday and it will be interesting to see how much they write-down and the rhetoric used for future guidance on the company. Given the current market jitters any surprise from RBS will resonate across the sector and can be expected to send all bank shares tumbling."

I've steered clear of the banks for now, but I suppose OK for those who like shorting!

Some analysts say "having a good economy is bad because the interest rate cannot be cut". This implies that having a bad economy is good.

It is funny isn't it!

It sure is a funny ol' world.

Latest I heard on the radio is that interest rates may not be cut this week.

There is a saying that talk is cheap you know -):

Well, let's hope it is only talk then!

Just had to share this with you all - from today's Times:

Big day for banks tomorrow with RBS trading update and BOE interest rate decision. If rate is held and RBS writes off more than 2.0B then be ready for fireworks.

Following news from RBS, BARC, AL. etc it appears UK banks are not so severely effected by the sub prime crisis created by US institutions. We should see a rally in UK bank shares as dividends appear safe and yields are very high as interest rates start to fall.
However there are calls in the US for a major " ENRON " style enquiry to find out if fraud was invoved in selling sub prime secuity packages. If this goes ahead it may well unsettle Wall Street further as more heads are likely to roll.

Halifax, re RBS: you might like to take a look at this, from today's Times:

RBS named as inquiry into sub-prime bonds gathers pace in America