BANKRUPTCIES: 2009 IS ALREADY ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

摘要

With the Dow up around 10,000, here's a dark indicator to add to the mix: A record number of companies have filed for bankruptcy so far this year: Through Oct. 15,4,585 U.S. companies filed for protection under Chapter 11, says Richard Peterson, a director of Standard & Poor's Market, Credit & Risk Strategies unit. That's up 12% from last year on that date. Of those, 249 are companies taken private (or invested in) by buyout firms. That's a record, too-a 68% increase from the previous high of 148 over the same period in 2008.