Brazil Faces New Oil-Boom Curse as the World’s Resource Engine
March 19, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: In 2007, Brazilian geologists made the biggest oil find in the Americas in three decades. Buried more than five miles below sea-level, the discovery was estimated to raise the country’s crude reserves by 62 percent.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 03/13/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the issues raised in the article about resource based industries?
- How can investors inside and outside Brazil be expected to respond?
- How will the currency likely be affected as resources rise or fall in value?
- What are the implications for investors?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Is the Global Economy Doomed?
December 12, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis
Description: Economist and author Peter Schiff stops by Mean Street to discuss events in Europe and the global economy. (Photo: Reuters)
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 12/08/2011
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the analysis presented in this report.
- Do you agree with the opinions presented?
- What would you advise investors do today?
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?
Dow Moves Lower
September 12, 2011 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis
Description: Markets fall as worry over the sovereign debt issue continue to roil Europe and reaction after Obama;s speech indicate consumers expectations in politicians ability to fix problems is waning. Paul Vigna discusses the market movers of the day with Paul Vigna and Jonathan Cheng.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 09/09/2011
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/dow-moves-lower/622C21B5-33B4-41FA-ABE6-89764A3F4632
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the key points presented in this report that explain recent movements in the market?
- Do you believe the bull run is about to end?
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?
