Hedge funds increased their stakes in financial stocks during the second quarter according to the Goldman Sachs Hedge Fund Trend Monitor (WSJ). Specifically, ownership in financials increased 55% from Q1 to Q2, growing to $70 billion - representing 3.7% of the sector's market capitalization. Bank of America (BAC) and JPMorgan (JPM) were some of the more popular financial holdings within hedge funds, with Regions Financial (RF) and Citigroup (C) also becoming new long positions for some funds. While the net short position of financials also rose slightly, 8% to $63 billion, the large increase in long exposure has resulted in hedge funds being net long the financials by the end of Q2 (WSJ). Although hedge fund redemption request have decreased, reducing the need for forced selling, it is unclear if hedge funds on average will maintain their net long positions in financials after the nice run these stocks have made since the March market lows.

For the first time since 1993, credit card companies were unable to sell bonds backed by customer payments (see Bloomberg article). Top-rated credit card-backed securities maturing in three years are selling at spreads of 475 basis points over Libor, compared to a spread of only 50 basis points less than a year ago. Given higher unemployment, leading to potentially higher credit card use and an inability to pay, lenders are expecting higher default rates for 2009. American Express is already accessing the Fed commercial facility program, as well as cutting 10 percent of its work force. Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Citigroup all rely on the debt market to fund their credit card portfolios, and could also subsequently be impacted by higher spreads and lower liquidity.

Based on recent filings, and acquiring 95 million shares of Bear Stearns, JPMorgan Chase should own a little less than 108 million shares, or 44.86% of Bear shares outstanding. Additional planned buying should raise the common stock total to 49.5%. Yet, BSC stock still trades above $10 per share. Maybe it is time to check the option's market.

Tickers: JPM, BSC

It looks like former CEO and current Bear Stearns chairman Jimmy Cayne and his wife sold their 5.66 million share stake in Bear (for $10.84 per share). His stake was about 3.9% before JPMorgan offered a new price and got new terms (a 39.5% stake in Bear, reducing the Cayne's position to 2.4%). From the filing it appears to be a block sale. In that case, who now owns the position? Beyond making a new bid look unlikely, does this affect the sale? The previous board had indicated that it intended to vote their shares for the merger. Does JPMorgan need this 2.4%? Did the shares go to JPMorgan? The drama continues ....... and the prices still trades above $10.

Ticker: BSC, JPM