The high-end estimate of the potential cost to the 16 banks being investigated in the Libor probe has risen to $176 billion, the WSJ writes, citing a July report by Australian firm Macquarie Research. Actually, the report (via zerohedge) suggested the banks might end up paying $88 billion in fines and settlements as a result of $176 billion in investor losses, but who's counting? Other estimates are a lot lower, including a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods estimate of $35 billion last month and a Morgan Stanley estimate of less than $8 billion.