Instagram’s Systrom Builds $1 Billion Application in Two Years
April 16, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues
Description: Silicon Valley is one of the few places where a 27-year-old Web entrepreneur can parlay a photo-sharing application with no known source of revenue into $1 billion — in two years.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 04/10/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the background experience of these two entrepreneurs had anything to do with their success this time?
- What factors contributed to the rapid growth rate?
- How will Facebook be able to monetize this product?
- Do you agree with the valuation?
Risk is back on Wall Street!
April 16, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Industry Analysis, Management Issues
Description: Wall Street is notorious for its short memory. Four new signs that risk has returned to the financial sector may make you wonder if the crisis ever happened. Source: Fortune.com
Date: 04/12/2012
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/12/wall-street-risk/?iid=SF_F_River
Questions for discussion:
- Summary the highlights presented in this report.
- Do you agree with these opinions?
Annie’s IPO rakes in the cheddar
April 2, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis
Description: Organic food company Annie’s makes its public debut and investors are salivating. But there are other organic options for the IPO averse.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 03/28/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/03/28/mkts-bz-annies-ipo.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think Annie’s represents too narrow a focus in this industry group?
- What are the risks for the group, in general?
- What favors investing in Whole Foods over Annie’s?
- Would you be an investor in this industry?
The end of the bond bubble?
March 26, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis
Description: With the yields on 10-year Treasuries — considered a risk-free asset by the market — moving sharply higher since the beginning of the year, many investors are beginning to ask: Is this the end of what has been a 30-year bull run for bonds? The improving U.S. economy and an easing debt crisis in Europe have been credited with sending bond prices lower and yields higher.
Source: BNN.ca – video report
Date: 03/23/2012
Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/3/23/The-end-of-the-bond-bubble.aspx
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the financial highlights presented in the report.
- Do you agree with the sentiments?
- Do you agree with the recommendations?
Ask an Expert: ‘Shark Tank’ shows entrepreneurs how to swim
March 5, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Q: Lately I have been watching the TV show “Shark Tank” and really like it. What always amazes me is that the people whose products I don’t like often get money and those that I do like get nothing. Why is that? — Jaime
Source: USAToday.com
Date: 02/20/2012
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- How would you evaluate the dollar-value of a partnership with one of these entrepreneurs?
Why oil prices keep on climbing
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Oil prices spike to its highest level in nine months, following Iran’s announcement to halt oil exports to Britain and France.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 02/20/2012
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/20/n_iran_oil_gas_prices.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why have oil prices risen?
- What is the impact of this change on the economy?
Why Toxic Debt Looks a Lot Less Toxic
February 27, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation
Description: Goldman Sachs and hedge funds are buying risky mortgages again
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 02/16/2012
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/why-toxic-debt-looks-a-lot-less-toxic-02162012.html
Questions for discussion:
- What has changed?
- Do you agree with this assessment?
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?
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?
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?
