Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Pound Slumps to Record Versus Yen; Rogers Says U.K. ‘Finished’

Well that's what happens when your banking system loses "1 billion, gagillion, fafillion, shabolubalu million illion yillion....Yen."*
From Bloomberg:
The pound dropped to a record low versus the yen and the weakest level since 2002 against the dollar on concern the government will have to rescue more banks as the economy slips into its worst recession since World War II.

Jim Rogers, chairman of Singapore-based Rogers Holdings, said the “U.K. is finished” and investors should sell the currency. Commonwealth Bank of Australia said there was a high risk of a cut to the country’s credit rating outlook and lowered its pound forecast. Prime Minister Gordon Brown authorized a 100 billion pound ($142 billion) bailout for banks.

“I would urge you to sell any sterling you might have,” said Rogers. “It’s finished. I hate to say it, but I would not put any money in the U.K.” Rogers correctly predicted the start of the commodities rally in 1999....MORE

*That's Dr. Evil's demand in the third movie, about which wikipedia says:

"This time his demand is met with simple confusion from the world leaders."