Explain the similarities and the differences between ABS and ABS CDO.

ABS and ABS CDO are similar in that they both refer to asset-backed securities, meaning financial instruments which are backed by a pool of assets such as mortgages or car loans. The main difference between the two is that with an ABS CDO (Collateralized Debt Obligation), the underlying assets are divided into various tranches with different levels of risk and return. This allows investors to choose which tranche(s) best fit their preferences based on their desired level of risk and return.

Both ABS and ABS CDOs can be used for funding purposes as borrowers can sell these instruments to raise capital without having to take on too much debt. Additionally, they have become increasingly popular due to their liquidity characteristics since they can be sold quickly at any time if needed. However, one key difference between the two is that while ABSs typically carry lower credit ratings than other types of corporate bonds, ABS CDOs often have even lower ratings due to their higher risk profile given the numerous tranches involved.