Parsing the Debt Markets

I interviewed Sebastian Mallaby about the credit crunch (see here).

Sure seems investment banks and ratings agencies both played a not-totally-savory role propping up the debt markets, even after it was clear that there were some fundamental weaknesses there.

I have no idea if the market dip is close to over--though I would guess quite a few funds are still hiding some major problems from the markets. Nonetheless, I'm impressed by how many people are focusing on the silver lining of all the current turmoil (Mallaby's latest from the Washington Post; the Economist's Matthew Bishop, podcasting last week with my boss, Mike Moran; and the leader from the current Economist).

Maybe there are some buying opportunities out there?