Blackstone Group says "Signs of Recovery" in economy

Hmm, it seems that the huge buyout firm is starting to think the economy is on the mend.

``Markets have stabilized and we have seen signs of recovery,'' Schwarzman said today on a conference call with investors. ``We don't think we're completely through it, but we're seeing signs of improvement.''

Hmm, I think the Bear Stearns bailout may have been the height of the crisis. Things were on the edge of a cliff at that time and could easily fall either way. It was either backwards into the grass or forward into the ravine. The FED was there to stabilize the markets and may get some broad new powers out of the deal. We see now that inflation at a low point and even an modest expansion of consumer spending. If oil drops back down then the recovery might be truly on the way. I guess the Dems will have to go back to the Iraq War as their tent pole issue since the economy may be right on track by October.

Blackstone Set to Be Biggest IPO of 2007

And I will probably try to get in on this one early. Blackstone seems like a very well run company whos stock could be up big in a few months.

"Blackstone is a heck of an organization, which has built enormous
franchise value and barriers to entry for rivals," said Jeff Schappe, chief
investment officer at BB&T Asset Management in Raleigh, North Carolina. "It
is still able to take companies private at relatively attractive valuations.
That should give it a premium valuation (in an IPO)."

I wish they could give us an exact date though so I can put it into my calendar.