Why oil prices keep on climbing
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Oil prices spike to its highest level in nine months, following Iran’s announcement to halt oil exports to Britain and France.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/20/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/20/n_iran_oil_gas_prices.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why have oil prices risen?
- What is the impact of this change on the economy?
Soros: Deregulation led to collapse
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation
Description: Billionaire George Soros says deregulation of the private sector allowed the financial system to grow like a cancer until it collapsed.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/13/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/13/n_soros_obama_regulations.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the opinions presented by George Soros.
- Do you agree with his opinions?
A wonderland of chocolate
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Koppers Chocolate factory is the oldest and largest factory left in New York City.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report.
Date: 02/14/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2012/02/13/sbiz_koppers_chocolate.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Describe the business model for this company.
- Why do you think it has remained relatively small when compared to bigger competitors?
- What financial planning advantages are there to choosing to remain a small business?
Why Toxic Debt Looks a Lot Less Toxic
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Goldman Sachs and hedge funds are buying risky mortgages again
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/why-toxic-debt-looks-a-lot-less-toxic-02162012.html
Questions for discussion:
- What has changed?
- Do you agree with this assessment?
The euro dream that became a nightmare
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis
Description: When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great Depression. Indeed, one could probably argue that for Greece it already is.
Source: FinancialPost.com
Date: 02/17/2012
Link: http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/02/17/the-euro-dream-that-became-a-nightmare/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for the economic problems in Greece.
- Who do you think is mostly at fault?
- Should Greece withdraw from the euro and go back to the drachma?
- What would the consequences be for consumers, businesses, investors and governments?
- How do you expect Greek bonds to perform over the next 5 years?
The Business Of Lin
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last?
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/17/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report.
- Do you think this phenomenon can last?
- What strategic plans would you recommend to the various businesses mentioned to take advantage of immediate opportunities?
- How can financial mangers mitigate risk with any chosen strategy?
Loans based on your eBay and Amazon sales
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Online lender Kabbage offers advances to small business owners based on their success as online merchants.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/16/t-ts-kabbage-lending.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
Explain the reasons this sort of financial lending arrangement works for both sides?
- Is the risk any greater for Kabbage than for conventional bank lending?
- What metrics would you look at to determine the amount to lend and the interest rate to charge?
- Could this business exist without collaboration with eBay and Amazon?
- If Kabbage grows into a major online lending force, how might you expect eBay and Amazon to respond?
Green Mountain Coffee’s new Vue
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has unveiled a new brewing system to build on the popularity of its K-cup line, which may face competition after two key patents expire in September.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/15/markets/green_mountain_coffee/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- How does the firm generate revenue?
- Is this business model sound?
- What risks are there to cash flow?
- What are other revenue streams the firm should be looking at?
Apple’s Stock May Not Be as Cheap as It Looks: Weil
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Throughout the extraordinary surge in Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s share price, a persistent question has lingered: Why is the stock still so cheap? One overlooked answer may be that Apple’s accounting isn’t as conservative as it used to be.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- Do you agree with the assessments?
Jay Bryan: Investing risk hides where you least expect
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Bonds riskier than stocks? Surely that’s crazy talk. It turns upside-down what seems to be a fundamental rule of investing.
Source: MontrealGazette.com
Date: 02/11/2012
Questions for discussion:
- What are the key points made in this report?
- Do you agree with the assessments presented?
