Are Municipal Bonds the Next Bubble to Pop?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  America’s states and cities may be going bankrupt, but investors shouldn’t worry. Dow Jones Adviser columnist James Altucher explains. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 03/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/are-municipal-bonds-the-next-bubble-to-pop/5D0A58DD-9E95-4B20-8A3E-8B67E3F593DA Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in favor of buying municipal bonds. Do you agree with James Altucher’s opinion about the risk to investors?

Government reportedly setting plan to sell Citi shares

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  The U.S. government is setting up a program to sell its 27% stake in Citigroup Inc. and the plan could be announced next month, according to a report Thursday, citing unidentified people with direct knowledge of the matter. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 03/25/2010  Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/treasury-reportedly-sets-plan-to-sell-citi-shares-2010-03-25?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Would you be a buyer of… Read more »

U.S. Economy: Profit Surge May Help Broaden Expansion

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: The fastest pace of economic growth in six years during the final three months of 2009 fueled a surge in corporate profits that may set the stage for job gains and a broadening of the U.S. recovery. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/26/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aorqXG5sfGeY Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for economic and stock… Read more »

How Not to Run an S.E.C. Investigation

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: A recent report by Securities and Exchange Commission’s inspector general shows that the investigation of Bernard L. Madoff was not the only one to go badly awry. While the impact of the S.E.C.’s missteps were not nearly as significant as in the Madoff case, the report shows that the agency’s enforcement division allowed itself… Read more »

Why a $14/hour employee costs $20

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Management Issues.

Description: You probably cost your boss a lot more than you think you do. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 03/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/26/smallbusiness/employee_costs/index.htm Questions for discussion: In general, do you think these taxes (costs) are fair to employers and employees? Why would any exemptions for employment taxes be considered an unfair competitive subsidy by other businesses who must… Read more »

Value Investing for the Next Decade

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description:  Long-duration investing is about finding well-established companies to buy and hold for the next 10 years, according to fund manager Bill Smead, who favors pharmaceutical, housing and equity-fund plays. Matt Andrejczak reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 03/16/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/value-investing-for-the-next-decade/49B13123-0A86-4B78-ACD1-85EF967190FC Questions for discussion: Why do you believe investors are holding stocks for… Read more »

Dodd calls for Lehman Bros. investigation

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Management Issues.

Description:  A year and a half after Lehman Brothers’ collapse, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is calling for a federal investigation into the “Lehman situation” and other companies that may have fudged their balance sheets, contributing to the financial crisis. Source: CNNMoney.com   Date: 03/20/2010  Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/19/news/economy/lehman_brothers_chris_dodd/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you believe… Read more »

Avoid Negative-Net-Worth Stocks Like the Plague: John Dorfman

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description: I rarely buy a stock whose debt is greater than stockholders’ equity, or corporate net worth per share. In effect, that means I won’t give a second look to about one third of U.S. stocks. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/15/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aReZz0vi1B5U Questions for discussion: In general, do you agree with this analysis and strategy… Read more »

At Lehman, Watchdogs Saw It All

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: Almost two years ago to the day, a team of officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York quietly moved into the headquarters of Lehman Brothers. They were provided desks, phones, computers — and access to all of Lehman’s books and records. At any given moment, there… Read more »

Palm shares may hit $0: Analysts

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description:  Palm’s future already looked bleak. But after reporting worse than expected results for the third quarter Thursday, some analysts think the company’s stock is now essentially worthless. Source: CNNMoney.com   Date: 03/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/19/technology/palm_target_price_zero/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for Palm’s demise. Do believe there is any hope for the stock? How would… Read more »