The Treasury and some members of Congress are concerned that sovereign funds from the Middle East and Asia may use their investments in US banks and corporations to push their global political goals. Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs David McCormick said the government-controlled funds may raise "legitimate national security concerns," and may distort markets if not managed properly, according to MarketWatch.

If the large funds walk away from investing in the US, especially when banks and brokerages may need more money to weather the credit crisis, finding large pools of capital may be difficult.

But, one sovereign fund, Singapore state investor Temasek, appears to be willing to agree to make official its intention to put money into US companies for only "financial" reasons. According to Reuters, "A Temasek Holdings executive told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that it supports the aim of U.S. lawmakers to maintain the right balance between national security and investment flows."

Continue reading Temasek, one sovereign fund, backs down

Temasek, one sovereign fund, backs down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Things couldn't be better for our enemies. With oil prices at record levels and credit risk premiums widening, the heroes of American business, private equity firms, are losing out to the sponsors of the 9/11 attacks.

Reuters reports that Gulf Arab firms are absolutely delighted by the latest turn of events in world markets. With oil at record levels, more and more money is flowing into their coffers. And since American private equity firms have lost access to cheap money -- with investors having added more than 50% in July to the premium sellers of higher-risk bonds must pay over top-rated government debt -- the Gulf Arabs control the world's cheapest capital.

What will they do with their newfound financial firepower? Close at least $14 billion of private equity deals. For example, Taqa (Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.) wants to complete $4 billion worth of acquisitions in the next year. Dubai International plans as much as $10 billion in investments this year.

This is truly the promise of globalization realized. A handful of U.S. executives make a few hundred million more selling out to "folks" who are sworn to destroy the U.S.

Peter Cohan is president of Peter S. Cohan & Associates, a management consulting and venture capital firm. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter.

Playing into the enemies' hands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Haliburton Co. (NYSE:HAL) is the latest U.S. company headed oversees for friendlier tax laws.

The company is relocating its corporate headquarters from Houston to Dubai, which the Associated Press points out has some of the world's most liberal tax and residency laws. Haliburton said its moving because of the growth opportunities in the region and analysts say its smart strategically. The company also is eager to jumpstart is stock price which has barely budged over the past year.

Though the stated reasons are financial, there's obviously a political dimension.

The Democrats who control Congress are going to make Haliburton's life miserable. Last month, federal investigators claimed that Halliburton was responsible for $2.7 billion of the $10 billion in contractor waste and overcharging in Iraq, the AP said.

Not surprisingly, bigshots in Congress were outraged.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, called it "an insult to the U.S. soldiers and taxpayers who paid the tab for their no-bid contracts and endured their overcharges for all these years." House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) may hold a hearing on the issue, an aide told Reuters.

There's been a hubbub over similar moves by Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE:TYC) and other companies. In reality, there's little the Congress can do. In fact, I bet some Democrats would be happy to help Haliburton box its stuff up.

Haliburton takes the money and runs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.