19-12-2007
Where China can go wrong
| China sovereign fund announced today a US dollar 5 Billion investment in Morgan Stanley, for roughly 10% of its share capital. This investment follows Blackrock stake purchase of a few months ago. But while Arabs might have done a sound investment in acquiring a stake oin Citigroup, where doubtful credits represent y smaller percentage of the companu'share capital, problems at Morgan Stanley are way more seriuos and today's reported quarterly loss could only be the beginnig of a long strike of quarterly losses. Worst case scenario could see second Us investment bank fight for survival. Chinese do not appear , at least so far, to have been well advised in their quest for international direct investment, and this latest move could backfire against officials who are running their sovereign fund |