[ikka]

The term, credit markets, refers to activity between financial institutions, and it has indeed ceased. This is because the institutions do not trust each others balance sheets.

I am not saying you are wrong, I am asking for a SOURCE that backs up your statement. Surely at this point there are concrete examples that have been written about or are public knowledge? Surely they are willing to loan, but possibly at a higher rate?

As a counter- example. Caterpillar (CAT) recently decided to borrow a few billion, and the market did allow them credit. However it was at a higher rate than before.

Quote: On Tuesday, the finance arm of Caterpillar Inc. was able to raise $1.25 billion by selling corporate debt -- but the company had to pay the highest yields in nearly 10 years, noted Atkins.

this is from this article: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080924/credit_markets.html?.v=6

[Cold Heat]

Ahhhhh.....I see....

Well, I have a couple of paid news services like DOW Jones newswire. I get real time data 24/7. I can't link that for you, but you could use Yahoo Finance, which is quite good, just a bit delayed. Delay is costly for me so I don't use it, but I have in the past.

The investment you noted is not credit market related, it is bond sales to private investors, like Buffet.

Private capital is sitting on the sidelines now, but dipping a toe in here and there when the profit is good.

This has nothing to do with credit markets and bank solvency and lending.

[Cold Heat]

Oh, and something else that's important for you to know. Bonds are not affected in downturns very often. The interest rates, or yields go way up, but in lieu of a bad market, it is the only way to raise capital in conditions like this, and the terms on these things are now outrageous. I don't even pay 10% on a unsecured credit card.

You should be getting the picture. This is as bad as I have ever seem it, and I have been around for a while.