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Claire Mccaskill posts

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Despite public outcry, bank bonus reform may have to take a back seat

With public indignation and Congressional outcries building concerning large Wall Street bonuses while the U.S. taxpayer bails out the same industry that contributed to the financial crisis, efforts to limit or eliminate excessive compensation may hinge on whether the Obama administration wants to use political capital to do it.

The public attention-grabbing incidents are certainly there to keep the U.S. Congress focused on the issue: Wall Street allocating its sixth-highest level of bonuses during the investment banking sector's worst year since the Great Depression. Former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain's decision, since reversed, to use $1.22 million in company money to redecorate his office, is one example. Another is Robert Rubin receiving more than $100 million in compensation from Citigroup (NYSE: C), a bank that's receiving hundreds of billions of dollars in government guarantees and other, direct financial assistance.

Continue reading Despite public outcry, bank bonus reform may have to take a back seat

Will InBev have to say 'adios' to Cuba to buy Anheuser-Busch?

According to The New York Times' DealBook blog, InBev has a significant partnership with Cuba to produce Bucanero beer, the second-largest player in the communist country's market.

In the the beer world, this deal is not very important since the island has a population of about 11 million. Besides, its economy is a mess.

"Government defaulted on most of its international debt in 1986 and does not have access to credit from international financial institutions like the World Bank, which means Havana must rely heavily on short-term loans to finance imports, chiefly food and fuel," according to Global Security Org. "Because of its poor credit rating, an $11 billion hard currency debt, and the risks associated with Cuban investment, interest rates have reportedly been as high as 22%."

The question of what would happen to InBev's Cuban business in the event the takeover of Budweiser is successful is an interesting one. Would the company have to divest the business to comply with the U.S. embargo or not do anything since it is not a U.S.-based company? Maybe the subsidiary could be operated through a non-U.S. InBev business. Regardless, it's a solvable problem from a legal and financial vantage point.

While I have no doubt I have no doubt the Belgian brewer will gladly say "adios" to its small Cuban beer business if that's the price it has to pay to complete its $46 billion hostile bid for Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. (NYSE: BUD), public relations is another matter.

Continue reading Will InBev have to say 'adios' to Cuba to buy Anheuser-Busch?

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DJIA-151.6110,312.79
NASDAQ-35.482,140.57
S&P 500-17.951,092.68

Last updated: November 27, 2009: 10:25 AM

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