Why you shouldn’t blame ETFs for wild markets
January 30, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Critics say the popular funds are causing stocks to swing wildly together. Finding proof is another matter.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 01/27/2012
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/27/etfs-market-swings/?iid=SF_F_Lead
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons ETFs are blamed.
- Do you agree with these views?
How the U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work
January 30, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues
Description: When Barack Obama joined Silicon Valley’s top luminaries for dinner in California last February, each guest was asked to come with a question for the president. But as Steven P. Jobs of Apple spoke,President Obama interrupted with an inquiry of his own: what would it take to make iPhones in the United States?
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 01/22/2012
Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html?hp
Link to video: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/20/business/the-iphone-economy.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- How does Apple illustrate the global nature of business today?
- Why, according to the report, will these manufacturing jobs never return to the U.S.?
- Do you agree with this view?
- What does this report suggest managers do in order reduce the loss of manufacturing employment?
- How can future employees – in the U.S. and elsewhere – prepare for work in a global market for jobs?
- Is there a role for governments here?
How Nike keeps running up profits
January 23, 2012 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?
Bank investors better get used to low returns
January 23, 2012 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?
Sir Richard enters the business of banking
January 16, 2012 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 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 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 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 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?
Investing in a bi-polar world
January 9, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Blackrock’s Chief Equity Strategist Bob Doll discusses the Europe debt crisis, U.S. corporate earnings and the social unrest.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 01/06/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/01/05/mkts_ss_blackrock_doll_2012.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the arguments presented by Bob Doll concerning the global economy.
- Do you agree that with his assessments?
- How would you approach investing today?
