Want $1 billion? All you need is an app
April 16, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: An app, a dream, and millions of users couldn’t hurt. But as Facebook forks over $1 bln for Instagram, has the app craze gone too far?
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 04/10/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/10/mkts-bz-fb-instagram.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Justify the valuation paid for this acquisition?
- Does it make financial sense?
- How can Instagram increase cash flow at Facebook?
Second quarter hurdles ahead
April 9, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Higher oil prices and an uncertain housing market are just two factors that could challenge corporate profits this quarter.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 04/02/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/03/29/mkts_panel_earnings.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the opinions expressed in this report.
- Do you agree with any of these views?
- What is your projection for the next quarter?
Hulbert: We’re at a Market Correction
March 26, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Market Analysis
Description: MarketWatch columnist Mark Hulbert joins Mean Street and makes the argument that the market’s long-awaited correction is at hand. Photo: Reuters.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 03/23/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the logic of this analysis?
- Do you agree with this assessment?
- Where do you see the market headed over the next 3 to 6 months?
Stocks’ correction coming? Not that again
March 19, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis
Description: Investors are beginning to wonder if this Energizer Bunny of a rally can just keep going without taking a break or a fall.
Source: Reuters.com
Date: 03/16/2012
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-usa-stocks-weekahead-idUSBRE82F1AF20120316
Questions for discussion:
- What is the basis for concern in the market and Apple in particular?
- What is your opinion?
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?
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?
Can 2012 redeem the Super Bowl indicator?
February 6, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Wall Street’s ‘Super Bowl indicator’ suggested the Giants’ victory in 2008 was a good omen for the markets. Not so much.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 03/03/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/02/03/mkts_buzz_superbowl_indicator.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- What is the basis of belief in the Super Bowl Indicator?
- Why would anyone give it credence?
Don’t write bank stocks a big check
February 6, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Financial sector shows investors the money, but caution is advised
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 02/03/2012
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/financial-stocks-show-investors-the-money-2012-02-03
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- Do you agree with these views?
Why Cisco parks $43 billion overseas
January 30, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Cisco’s John Chambers says the 33% tax rate on foreign profits prevents companies from repatriating the money and creating jobs.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 01/26/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/01/26/n_davos_chambers_investment.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Where are Cisco’s profits invested in today’s global economy?
- How is this issue a business, economic, and political issue?
- Is there a way to mitigate the drain on lost profits to the U.S. economy?
