Description: Author and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman dissects problems in financial regulatory reform. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 02/25/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/24/n_tom_friedman_regulation_reform.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Tom Friedman. Do you agree that there is an imbalance in the financing of “good riskâ€? How can more financing be directed… Read more »
Monthly Archives: March 2010
Wall Street sours on Palm as smartphone sales stall
Description: Analysts say wireless-device maker has few options; few see buyout as likely. Source: Marketwatch – video report  Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/palms-survival-at-stake-if-smartphones-dont-sell-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think investors have properly valued Palm in the past or presently? On what basis would you set a stock value for the firm? What valuation would you… Read more »
Buffett’s $50 million credit card blunder
Description: Peddling credit cards isn’t so easy that a caveman can do it. That seems to be the conclusion Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, Fortune 500) chief executive Warren Buffett reluctantly reached last year, when he shut down a money-losing credit card business he had dreamed up for Berkshire’s Geico car-insurance unit. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 02/27/2010… Read more »
A.I.G. Posts Loss of $11 Billion on Higher Claims
Description: The American International Group said on Friday that it lost about $11 billion last year, surprising analysts and showing the long-term risks inherent in the types of large, complex insurance coverage that the company once pioneered. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/26/2010 Link:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/27insure.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What is your view of this business model in… Read more »
Euro tarnished, but rivals lack shine
Description:Â Â The euro is damaged goods, laid low by a debt crisis that has revealed the shortcomings of European economic and monetary union, economists say. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-tarnished-but-rivals-dont-shine-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: How would you expect hedge fund managers to play the current situation? How should corporate financial planners dealing with exports or… Read more »
Four Winning Stocks With More Nice Gains to Come: John Dorfman
Description:Â Sanderson Farms Inc., Hasbro Inc., CF Industries Holdings Inc. and Ralcorp Holdings Inc. have moved up nicely this year. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/22/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ayPIAFcd7_hE Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessments and recommended investing strategies presented in this article? What other factors should be considered?
