Herald Tribune - "Around the Markets: Subprime lenders and builders expose risks in U.S. stock and bond markets" (2-12-07)

"HSBC Holdings and New Century Financial may end up giving stock and bond investors a renewed appreciation for risk. Shares of both companies tumbled last week after they said losses on so-called subprime mortgages had exceeded their forecasts. Credit-default swaps, or contracts to protect against defaults, on bonds backed by subprime loans became more costly."