by eXpat » Mon 10 Jan 2011, 15:26:00
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DomusAlbion', 'S')ome of the lemmings have to be the first to go over the edge of the cliff.
Those back in the herd are looking around, fat and happy, thinking "Wow this is a fun run we're having." All they see are their happy neighbors on every side, moving along, moving forward to a wonderful tomorrow ...

Aye, that´s how it happened
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')haka, Jan 10 (bdnews24.com)—The fact that it was basically easy money for investors convinced many others to jump in. And jump they did, with high expectations. But all of that was shattered in the last two days.
The market, which grew manifold in 2010, took only a couple of days, actually the first week of the New Year to virtually fall on its face — at least for the small investors.
This crash is bigger than what the country had witnessed in 1996, which had entered the lore, although reassurances like "Nothing like '96 can happen again" have been often repeated by market experts as well as ministers.
For the first time in Bangladesh's history, Dhaka Stock Exchange fell over 600 points on Sunday. It continued to bleed on Monday shedding another 635 points in less than an hour, prompting the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend trading — another first in Bangladesh's history.
The SEC was quick to respond. On Sunday, it withdrew the loan ceiling for individual investors and allowed netting facility for the market bigwig GrameenPhone, which did not really improve the situation.
On Monday, it raised the margin loan ratio and allowed netting facility for all shares. However, the decision's impact was yet to come into play as the regulator had already suspended trading of the two stock exchanges within an hour of the opening bell.
The share market became a popular tool for investment when the stock market was experiencing a bull-run over the last two years.
Well, that's pretty normal for individuals—making a quick buck. But the problem was that institutional investors especially banks and lease financers started to take the same approach.
The listed companies also joined the league, increasing direct and indirect involvement in the market. "If rolling money in the stocks can raise funds for the entire company's payroll within a month then why not?" they must have reasoned.
And it was clear when the third quarter financials of the companies were disclosed. Most posted high profit growth. Where did that come from? The obvious answer would have to be the stock market.
Despite regulatory measures, the market continued to slump on Sunday, so it's quite clear that the banks' unethical behaviour — too much exposure in stocks had caused the market to get overpriced — has actually hurt small investors.
Retail investors were lured into an overheated market and when the central bank stepped in to adjust the 'over exposure', these petty investors found themselves burning their fingers as there were no buyers.
Tomorrow should be interesting...