January 28, 2008

Come on what about that stiff upper lip?

Sir your “How to deal with sovereign wealth” January 28 reads like you are being very nervous about the sovereign wealth funds; asking for a code of conduct that would put order and limits on what these monsters could do to you. Come on what about that stiff uper lip?

Suppose these funds do not behave? Do you really think there would not be a market response to that? Would a Saudi Citibank or a Chinese Microsoft be able to keep the value of these companies in your markets if they are seen as having bad intentions?

This is a moment when the world really needs these capitals to recycle and help out and, if there is really anyone who would like to see a code-of-conduct it might very well be the investors who could want an assurance that your nationals will give them the most favoured investors status. By the way your editorial might very well have reduced in some billions the price they would be willing to pay for those assets they are thinking of buying.