The Business Of Lin
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last?
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/17/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report.
- Do you think this phenomenon can last?
- What strategic plans would you recommend to the various businesses mentioned to take advantage of immediate opportunities?
- How can financial mangers mitigate risk with any chosen strategy?
Loans based on your eBay and Amazon sales
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Online lender Kabbage offers advances to small business owners based on their success as online merchants.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/16/t-ts-kabbage-lending.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
Explain the reasons this sort of financial lending arrangement works for both sides?
- Is the risk any greater for Kabbage than for conventional bank lending?
- What metrics would you look at to determine the amount to lend and the interest rate to charge?
- Could this business exist without collaboration with eBay and Amazon?
- If Kabbage grows into a major online lending force, how might you expect eBay and Amazon to respond?
Green Mountain Coffee’s new Vue
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has unveiled a new brewing system to build on the popularity of its K-cup line, which may face competition after two key patents expire in September.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/15/markets/green_mountain_coffee/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- How does the firm generate revenue?
- Is this business model sound?
- What risks are there to cash flow?
- What are other revenue streams the firm should be looking at?
Apple’s Stock May Not Be as Cheap as It Looks: Weil
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Throughout the extraordinary surge in Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s share price, a persistent question has lingered: Why is the stock still so cheap? One overlooked answer may be that Apple’s accounting isn’t as conservative as it used to be.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- Do you agree with the assessments?
Jay Bryan: Investing risk hides where you least expect
February 20, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Bonds riskier than stocks? Surely that’s crazy talk. It turns upside-down what seems to be a fundamental rule of investing.
Source: MontrealGazette.com
Date: 02/11/2012
Questions for discussion:
- What are the key points made in this report?
- Do you agree with the assessments presented?
LinkedIn is the anti-Groupon
February 13, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Social media sites are not all created equal. LinkedIn’s profits topped estimates while Groupon posted a shocking loss.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 03/10/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/02/10/mkts_buzz_groupon_linkedin.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Compare the business models for these firms in terms of revenue streams.
- Which represents the greater risk as a stock investment?
- Are either overvalued?
Auto Makers Target Indonesia for Expansion
February 13, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Indonesia is being embraced as a major expansion market for car manufacturers, but will the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks hinder their progress? WSJ’s Deborah Kan discusses with Eric Bellman.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 02/10/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Describe the connection between corporate investing and government investing in infrastructure?
- What are the positive outcomes of corporate investment that should persuade governments?
- Are there lessons here for government-corporate investing in North America or Europe?
Diamond Foods Debacle May Crack Open a MAC
February 13, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: A rare event occurred late on Wednesday in the deal world. Diamond Foods, the seller of Emerald snack nuts, announced it would restate its financial results for two years. It also placed its chief executive, Michael J. Mendes, and its chief financial officer, Steven M. Neil, on administrative leave.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 02/09/2012
Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/diamond-foods-debacle-may-crack-open-a-mac/?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the financial issues involved.
- What are the implications for the deal?
- How should investors respond to this information?
- Is there a strategic play here?
McDonald’s shows healthy sales growth in U.S. and abroad
February 13, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: McDonald’s (MCD) said Wednesday that a key revenue figure climbed 6.7% in January as U.S. customers spent more on breakfast, beverages and its new Chicken McBites.
Source: USAToday.com
Date: 02/08/2012
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-02-08/mcdonalds-january-sales/53007014/1
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- Do you think McDonald’s strategy for growth will be attractive to investors?
Apple shares near $500-mark
February 13, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: It’s hard to take your eyes off Apple Inc. (AAPL-Q495.041.870.38%)these days: The shares hit a new record high of $495 (U.S.) on Thursday, bringing the total gains to about 18 per since the technology company announced stunning quarterly results in January.
Source: GlobeandMail.com
Date: 02/09/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Do you agree with the assessments presented?
- What are your financial projections for Apple looking 12 months ahead?
