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?
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?
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?
Don’t write bank stocks a big check
February 6, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: Financial sector shows investors the money, but caution is advised
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 02/03/2012
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/financial-stocks-show-investors-the-money-2012-02-03
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the highlights of the report.
- Do you agree with these views?
At Credit Suisse, Toxic Bonuses Turn into Gold
January 30, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis
Description: At the depths of the financial crisis, senior bankers at Credit Suisse Group (CS) received $5.05 billion of junk-grade loans and commercial-mortgage-backed bonds as part of their annual bonuses. Those assets, considered long-shot investments when they were transferred to an internal employee fund in late 2008, offered the Swiss investment bank a way to shift risk off its books—while giving the employees a chance to benefit from any recovery in that market.
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 01/26/2012
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/at-credit-suisse-toxic-bonuses-turn-into-gold-01262012.html
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the strategy employed and how everyone seems to be benefiting from it.
- Is everyone benefiting fairly from this strategy and is it unethical, in your opinion?
Why you shouldn’t blame ETFs for wild markets
January 30, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Critics say the popular funds are causing stocks to swing wildly together. Finding proof is another matter.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 01/27/2012
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/27/etfs-market-swings/?iid=SF_F_Lead
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons ETFs are blamed.
- Do you agree with these views?
Bank investors better get used to low returns
January 23, 2012 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues
Description: Reduced risk has translated into a return on shareholder’s equity that’s more akin to a sleepy regulated utility than a top investment firm.
Source: Fortune.com
Date: 01/20/2012
Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/20/bank-earnings-shareholder-return/?iid=SF_F_Lead
Questions for discussion:
- Why are bank stock returns expected to be reduced?
- Do you agree with the explanation?
