Roubini on Global Economy, Risks Ahead

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Nouriel Roubini, co-founder and chairman of Roubini Global Economics and economics professor at NYU Stern School of Business, foresees risks ahead as the economies of developing nations surge, while the U.S. and the West are stagnating. He talks with WSJ’s Simon Constable. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/25/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/roubini-on-global-economy-risks-ahead/E83AF703-1580-4666-89FC-F59F18DD06FB Questions for discussion:… Read more »

George Soros: ‘A new economic reality

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Financier George Soros says that markets and regulators are imperfect and that U.S. and EU economies need to get used to it. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/28/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/28/n_davos_soros.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the views expressed by Mr. Soros? Do you agree with them? How should investors and financial managers respond to… Read more »

Stocks plunge amid Egypt unrest

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: U.S. stocks plunged Friday, with the three major indices logging the worst daily drops in months, as investors grew nervous about political unrest in Egypt. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 01/28/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/28/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm Questions for discussion:  How have markets responded to political unrest in Egypt? Is this an opportunity or the beginning of a trend? How… Read more »

Never Again?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:   The final judgment of the official inquiry into the 2008 financial crisis — that it was an avoidable disaster, brought about by regulatory neglect and Wall Street recklessness — was an admonition to the government never to let it happen again. Source:  NYTimes.com   Date: 01/29/2011 Link: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/never-again/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the report… Read more »

Dow’s Surge to 12,000 Echoes Last Time Market Slumped

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: nvestors who pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 12,000 for the first time since 2008 this week may be getting ahead of themselves. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/28/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-28/dow-s-surge-to-12-000-echoes-last-time-market-slumped.html Questions for discussion:  Summarize the basic arguments made in the report. Do you agree that the market is ahead of where it belongs? How… Read more »

BullHorn: Are the clouds parting?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description: Cloud computing stocks have taken a huge hit but the business is still strong. Can’t say the same about rare metals. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/21/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/01/21/mkts_bh_cloud_metals.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:   Summarize the comments made about the changes in share prices for the companies mentioned. Why do you think these shares changed so… Read more »

Hub Extra: How Nervous Should Apple Investors Be?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: With many questions unanswered about Steve Jobs’ medical leave of absence, Wall Street Journal ‘ROI’ columnist Brett Arends says the news is ominous for investors. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/17/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/hub-extra-how-nervous-should-apple-investors-be/BFCF78EB-4250-4572-83E5-62975923A6E3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions made about the importance of Steve Jobs to the success of Apple. Do you… Read more »

Volcker Rule May Work, Even if Vague

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description:   Paul A. Volcker is a giant of financial history. He played a behind-the-scenes role when the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1971. He restored credibility to the Federal Reserve and slew inflation a decade later. Source:  NYTimes.com   Date: 01/20/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/business/21norris.html?ref=business Questions for discussion:  Summarize the report and the meaning of… Read more »

SecondMarket trading doubles in private company stock

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Investors spent $158 million snapping up shares of privately held companies like Facebook on SecondMarket’s platform last quarter — twice the volume the exchange had just one quarter earlier. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 01/22/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/21/technology/secondmarket_q4/index.htm Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about the Secondmarket environment and the firms on the list? Would… Read more »

Prada Said to Decide on IPO by End of Month, Open 90 Stores

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Prada SpA, the Italian fashion company that has scrapped initial public offerings four times in 11 years, may decide to proceed with an IPO by the end of the month, according to two people familiar with the situation. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/21/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-21/prada-said-to-decide-on-ipo-by-end-of-month-open-90-stores.html Questions for discussion: What are the positive and negative implications… Read more »