"1) Has the PPT team actually engaged in buying or selling in the markets in recent times? (Or ever)?"
The last "verified" intervention by the PPT was in 1998 with the bail out of LTCM (Long Term Capital Managment).
I think that since that time they have gone beyond black ops and have not outwardly made rescues or even publicly acknowledged any conversations with the markets directly. The most recent meeting (Monday morning) was acknowledged by Secretary Paulson as simply and "updating" of the President to bring him up to speed on what occured over the weekend with Bear Stearns.
I don't think they have any obligation to the public to report their movements, but since the team is made up of government officials and central bankers, it's pretty obvious that they are a powerful force in the markets.
