How Nike keeps running up profits
January 23, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: With the stock up 120% in the last three years, Nike pushes more retail in emerging markets.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 01/20/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/01/20/n_nike_china_oil.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why are inventories a concern for a company like Nike?
- Do you think the growth prospects are good for the company?
- What level of growth do you believe is realistic? Explain your thinking.
- How do oil prices affect the company?
Google Rarely Misses Estimates, So What Happened?
January 23, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis
Description: Google’s fourth-quarter earnings rise but come in below analysts’ targets, and that doomed the search firm’s stock in late trades. Currency and tax issues, combined with a recent rally, set up the shares for a fall, according to MarketWatch tech editor Dan Gallagher. Lauren Rudser reports.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 01/05/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize what happened at Google, according to this report.
- Do you think now is a good opportunity to pick up Google stock or is this the beginning of a trend?
Bank investors better get used to low returns
January 23, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Reduced risk has translated into a return on shareholder’s equity that’s more akin to a sleepy regulated utility than a top investment firm.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 01/20/2012
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/20/bank-earnings-shareholder-return/?iid=SF_F_Lead
Questions for discussion:
- Why are bank stock returns expected to be reduced?
- Do you agree with the explanation?
New Normal on Wall Street: Smaller and Restrained
January 23, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues
Description: With firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reporting weak results for last year, Wall Street is having to confront doubts about itself.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 01/19/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the key points presented in the report.
- Do you agree with these assessments?
- Is this a good or bad scenario, in your opinion?
Kodak Bankruptcy May Bet on Printing
January 23, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: As Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) investors bet the 131-year-old photographic pioneer was headed for bankruptcy, the company decided Chapter 11 was the simplest way to become the leaner digital printing specialist it aspires to be.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 01/20/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the bankruptcy and sale of assets will work?
- What financial planning problems do you foresee as the company possibly moves to these new products?
Sir Richard enters the business of banking
January 16, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson on his new foray into the banking business with takeover of the ill-fated British bank,Northern Rock.
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this bank will be managed differently because of the connection to Branson and the Virgin brand?
- Do you think this bank will perform any differently – financially speaking?
Hostess, Maker of Twinkies, Files for Bankruptcy
January 16, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis
Description: Hostess Brands, known for sweet treats like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, is back in Chapter 11.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 01/11/2012
Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/hostess-files-for-bankruptcy/?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think the firm is in financial difficulty again?
- What is the financial condition of the firm?
- What would you advise management do today?
Weil: Why Zombie Banks Hate to Write Off Bad Loans
January 16, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: There’s a simple explanation for why the world’s zombie banks remain so reluctant to write off worthless assets and tap the equity markets for fresh capital. They don’t want to end up like UniCredit SpA. (UCG)
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 01/11/2012
Questions for discussion:
- What is the explanation for not writing off bad loans, according to this report?
- What could be the consequences of maintaining the status quo?
Can anyone save Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
January 16, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: It has been more than three years since then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson fired his famous metaphorical bazooka and the federal government seized control of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 01/11/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/11/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_River
Questions for discussion:
- According to the report, what are the reasons for ongoing problems at these agencies?
- What are the recommendations to resolve these issues?
- Do you agree with this line of thinking?
- Do you think they are feasible – given the players involved?
Private Equity: Hero or Villain?
January 16, 2012 Edited by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Now that it’s become a campaign issue, it’s worth asking: Is private equity good for America?
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 01/11/2012
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/private-equity-hero-or-villain-01112012.html
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the key points presented in the report.
- Do you agree with these assessments?
