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?
Yergin on Energy 2.0
September 19, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators
Description: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dan Yergin says the global supply of oil and gas has risen in the last 20 years, defying the predictions of “peak oil” theorists. In the Big Interview with WSJ’s David Wessel, he looks at the world’s energy future.
Source: Moneywatch.com – video report
Date: 09/17/2011
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/yergin-on-energy-20/75F18B14-7BD4-45F5-A3E1-1CF6B4E28B1A
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights presented in this report.
- Do you agree with the assessment?
- What would you advise investors and firms to do at this time?
Inside the hottest gold market in town
August 15, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Market Analysis
Description: NNi’s Felicia Taylor spends the day with gold traders in the NYMEX, during the markets’ roller-coaster week.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 08/12/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/08/12/n_nymex_taylor.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Describe the mechanics of gold trading.
- What is the reason for the sudden increase in demand?
- When will this trend stop?
- How can investors play this trend?
Exxon Mobil’s huge profit not enough
August 1, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis
Description: The oil giant’s earnings increased 41% to $10.7 billion but missed forecasts.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 07/28/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/07/28/mkts_am_exxon.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for Exxon Mobil’s financial situation.
- Given the investment decisions and energy pricing, what does the report suggest about the future of the company and industry?
- Would you be an investor in the company or industry today?
News Hub: Dow Steamrolled by Caterpillar
July 25, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Market Analysis
Description: Blue chips slipped, but finished with a strong weekly advance, as investors weighed Caterpillar’s disappointing results against a new agreement on a Greek financing plan. Laura Mandaro has details.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 07/22/2011
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the significance of Caterpillar’s results and stock movement.
- What does the continuing rise of gold suggest about the direction of economy, the US dollar, interest rates, and inflation?
- As an investor, do you see value in the companies in the Dow today?
Sino-Forest fire singes bubble king Paulson
June 6, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation
Description: The biggest loser in the latest apparent Chinese reverse merger fraud is John Paulson.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 06/03/2011
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/06/03/sino-forest-fire-singes-bubble-king-paulson/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize reasons for the dramatic fall in share value.
- Do you think there might be illegal activity on somebody’s part?
- How might the firm mitigate this publicity?
BlackRock’s Rick Rieder takes a stand on bonds
May 30, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation
Description: Rick Rieder is not the best-known man in bonds. That honor belongs to Pimco’s Bill Gross, manager of Total Return, the world’s largest bond fund. But Rieder, 49, is a titan in his own right.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 05/27/2011
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/25/pf/rick_rieder_blackrock.fortune/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize Rick Rieder’s strategic thinking as reported in the article.
- Do you agree with his thinking?
