Fossil’s market surge: Extinct

Description: Soft demand in crisis-stricken Europe is hurting sales of watch and accessory maker Fossil – and its stock price.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: May 10, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/05/08/mkts-bz-fossil.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussion:

• Why did Fossil’s share drop so dramatically?
• Do you think they can return to recent valuations?
• How would you go about evaluating the stock value today, and going forward?

 

Green Mountain Coffee: A Giddy Win for Short-Sellers

Description: Ten years ago, smarting over my tech-stock losses, I should have bought shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR). Of course, it was the manifest destiny of a Vermont-based outfit to go out and rock the coffee world, Starbucks’ (SBUX) hegemony be damned.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: May 09, 2012

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-09/green-mountain-coffee-a-giddy-win-for-short-sellers

Questions for Discussions:

• Summarize the arguments presented.
• How would you advise investors at this time?

 

Rattner: General Motors is undervalued

Description: Steven Rattner, former ‘auto czar’ for the Treasury Dept., says the government should hold its GM stake until the stock rises further.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: May 02, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/05/01/mkts-rattner-gm-government.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussion:

• What is the basis for this evaluation of GM?
• Do you agree with this assessment?

 

Is time running out for Nokia and RIM?

Description:  For two former leaders in mobile and smartphones, the fall from the top was painfully obvious this week.

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: May 03, 2012

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-time-running-out-for-nokia-and-rim-2012-05-03?link=home_carousel

Questions for Discussions:

• What does the report have to say about the financial status of these firms?
• Do you agree with this analysis?
• What would you advise investors and managements of these firms to do in the short and long run?

 

Canadians Dominate World’s 10 Strongest Banks

Description: Banks from Citigroup Inc. (C) in the U.S. to BNP Paribas SA (BNP) in France are racing to shed assets and raise money ahead of new global capital rules that start taking effect in 2015. For Canadian lenders, these moves have created the opportunity to go on a shopping spree.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: May 02, 2012

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-02/canadians-dominate-world-s-10-strongest-banks.html

Questions for Discussions:

• Summarize the status of banks, as reported in this article.
• What does the future look like in the next year or so?
• What would you recommend to investors and managers of banks?

 

Mutual Funds Confront Not-Quite-as-Dumb Money

Description: It used to be easy—and I mean Uncle Pennybags-laughing-to-the-bank easy—to be a mutual fund. During the heyday of the cult of equity, investors would dutifully chase returns at Fidelity, Janus Capital (JNS), Munder NetNet, or whatever was the performance flavor of the year.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: May 03, 2012

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-03/mutual-funds-confront-not-quite-as-dumb-money

Questions for Discussions:

• Summarize the changes that have taken place in the mutual fund industry?
• What is the situation today for vendors and investors?
• Where do you see the industry moving in the near future?

 

 

Shocker! Apple makes billions

Description:  Strong global iPhone sales helped Apple beat expectations, as usual. Doubters beware – it’s hard to hate on AAPL.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 04/25/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/25/mkts-bz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize the financial results and the reasons there is surprise.
• Would you be a buyer or seller today?

No grimacing for McDonald’s investors

Description:  With a boost from strong earnings, McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food co. on the up and up. Chipotle and Yum! Brands are following suit.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 04/20/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/20/mkts-bz-fast-food.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

• Compare the financial results for the firms mentioned in this report?
• How do you explain their performances?
• Would you be a buyer or seller of any of them?

Best Buy CEO out as shoppers move online

Description:   Best Buy Co Chief Executive Brian Dunn has left the world’s largest consumer electronics chain, which has struggled against stepped-up competition from internet retailers and discounters.

Source:  Reuters.com

Date: 04/10/2012

Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/bestbuy-idUSL2E8FA3ZK20120410

Questions for discussion:

• Is there a solution to this shopping trend working against Best Buy?
• Would a merger or acquisition make sense at this time?
• What sort of financial strategy is needed in this competitive environment?

How Long Will Markets Stay Calm?

Description:  Call it the calm after the storm: Markets are now more placid than they’ve been in years. Volatility across a range of assets is now at the lowest level since 2007. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index, or VIX (also known as the fear index), which tracks the expected price of buying protection against declines in the S&P 500, is now down almost 70 percent from early August, when it peaked at 48. It hasn’t closed above 15 since March 12.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 04/02/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-02/how-long-will-markets-stay-calm

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize the opinions presented about the level of volatility in markets.
• Do you agree with the analysis?
• What is your view of market direction and volatility?

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