LIBOR DROP ENCOURAGES MARKETS

One of the recent positive trends is the continuing drop in the three-month London Interbank Overnight Lending Rate (LIBOR). That rate determines what banks charge each other for loans. During the credit freeze that started in mid-September, the LIBOR jumped from 2.8% to 4.8% as stocks fell sharply. Since mid-October, however, the LIBOR has been dropping. It fell another 16 basis points today to 3.03 (see arrow) which is the lowest level in six weeks. That's helping to stabilize global stock markets.