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?
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?
Investors flee gold and hedge funds
January 2, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: TrimTabs CEO Charles Biderman says money flowed out of gold and hedge funds and into bonds and bank savings accounts in 2011.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 12/29/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/28/n_trimtabs_ceo.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the arguments presented by Charles Biderman concerning investor behavior and the economy.
- Do you agree with his assessments?
- How would you approach investing in the early part of the new year?
What Buffett’s IBM buy says about his next move
November 21, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis
Description: Screening for undervalued stocks the Oracle of Omaha would like
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 11/18/2011
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-buffetts-ibm-buy-says-about-his-next-move-2011-11-18
Questions for discussion:
- How is Warren Buffetts’ investment in IBM being interpreted?
- How do you think it will influence investors’ perceptions of IBM?
New gold bugs are young and restless
November 14, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis
Description: The allure of gold is thousands of years old, but nowadays the precious metal has a youthful look. Gold’s spectacular, decade-long run, coupled with the sovereign-debt crisis in Europe, an uncertain outlook for the U.S. dollar, and worries of worldwide recession, has tapped a new vein of investors in their 20s and 30s.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 11/11/2011
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-gold-bugs-are-young-and-restless-2011-11-11
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the appeal of gold to these investors.
- Is their thinking about the long term value of gold sound?
Cross-border pipeline may change oil’s landscape
October 31, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis
Description: A proposed pipeline stretching from Canada to the United States may contribute to a rise in the nation’s prices for oil, and has the potential to significantly change the landscape of the market.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 10/28/2011
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cross-border-pipeline-may-change-oils-landscape-2011-10-28
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the main points presented in this report.
- Do you agree with the analysis and conclusions?
- Do you think the project should go ahead?
Green Mountain’s short problem
October 24, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis
Description: Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, maker of the popular K-Cup, have plunged after hedge fund manager David Einhorn recommended shorting it.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 10/21/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/10/21/n_bz_gmcr.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the impact David Einhorn`s position has had on Green Mountain.
- What is a “momentum“ stock?
- Where do you think the stock is headed as a result of its recent historical trend and pronouncements by Einhorn?
Wedding bands from aerospace metal
October 17, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis
Description: The recession led jewelry designer Scott Kay to use cobalt, an affordable metal popular with the space industry.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 10/14/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2011/10/12/smb_sbt_scott_kay.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- What does this report suggest about consumer perceptions of traditional metals used for jewelry such as gold, silver, and platinum?
- How might this change be reflected in these commodity prices?
Canadian dollar’s drop may outpace Aussie, krone
October 10, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis
Description: Commodity currencies under pressure along with global growth
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 10/07/2011
Questions for discussion:
- Why have so-called commodity currencies fallen?
- Do you agree with the forecasts presented in this report?
- How can company financial managers and investors mitigate their risk in these times?
Copper, coal: crystal balls for the global economy
September 26, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis
Description: Copper, coal and other industrial commodities can be great tools for predicting economic prospects and right now they’re offering a gloomy outlook, but a closer analysis shows a glimmer of hope as the world struggles to avoid recession.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 09/23/2011
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the predictive nature of commodities, as presented in this report?
- What is your assessment of the relationship of current commodity prices?
- How would you advise investors to react to the current situation?
