Did Goldman Do Anything Wrong?

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

Description:  When it comes to laying the blame on Goldman Sachs, Wealth Adviser columnist James Altucher says, “not so fast.” Nevertheless, he tells investors to stay away from buying the stock until the flames cool down. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 04/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/did-goldman-do-anything-wrong/E02B7836-3C8D-4719-A7EB-DE47036348DF Questions for discussion: So, in your opinion, did Goldman… Read more »

How credit watchdogs fueled the financial crisis

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

Description: A slew of internal e-mails from the leading credit rating agencies show employees at those firms knew of the dangers in subprime mortgages, but gave them the seal of approval anyway. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 04/24/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/23/news/economy/credit_rating_agencies_hearing/index.htm   Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis presented? What actions should be taken by… Read more »

Apple earnings soar on strong iPhone, Mac sales

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

Description:  Apple Inc said Tuesday that profit rose 90% in its fiscal second quarter as it sold almost 9 million iPhones, easily topping analyst estimates in both profit and sales amid a surge in demand in international markets. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 04/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-earnings-soar-on-strong-iphone-sales-2010-04-20?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: As an investor with a one year… Read more »

Competition, lack of data drove flawed credit ratings

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

Description:  During the buildup to the financial crisis, major rating agencies Moody’s Corp. and Standard & Poor’s Inc. were understaffed, didn’t have enough data about the mortgage securities they were rating and were pressured by each other and investment bankers to issue overly rosy ratings, a lawmaker said Friday. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 04/23/2010 Link:… Read more »

SEC Risks Harm With High-Frequency Trading Curbs, CME CEO Says

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

Description:  Regulators would harm U.S. equities trading if they toughened restrictions on computer-driven strategies that have largely replaced human market makers, CME Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue said. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 04/24/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aVkTbg7q8Lwo Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the concerns expressed by Donohue? Can this type of activity be… Read more »

SEC director talks tough about Goldman

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Director of Enforcement Robert Khuzami discusses the charges against Goldman Sachs during a panel at Tulane University’s Corporate Law Institute. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 04/16/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/04/16/n_Goldman_SEC_lawsuit_Khuzami.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the accusations against Goldman and Paulson. Is this just a matter of full disclosure? What impact do you think this… Read more »

Goldman charged with fraud over Paulson CDO trade Shares of investment bank drop 13% on news of SEC lawsuit

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

Description:  The Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday charged Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and one of its vice presidents with defrauding investors by misstating and omitting key facts about a financial product related to subprime mortgages. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 04/016/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/goldman-charged-with-fraud-over-paulson-cdo-trade-2010-04-16?pagenumber=1 Questions for discussion: Are there any explanations that can mitigate the damage… Read more »

Abacus Allowed Goldman to Shuffle Mortgage Risk Like Beads

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

Description:  From July 2004 through April 2007, as credit markets boomed, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. created 23 financial transactions called Abacus, the word for a relatively crude counting tool involving the shuffling of beads. Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued the bank for securities fraud in what would be the penultimate offering in the… Read more »

Dow 12,000 next? Or new record 14,165? Commentary: Wall Street’s happy talkers making fools of 95 million investors (again)

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: Yes, we hit 11,000. Propaganda. Yes, we’ll quietly sneak past 11,722 (Dow’s 2000 peak). Yes, we’ll happily climb to 14,164 (Dow’s 2007 peak). Maybe. But you’re being conned: Even a new record of 14,165 barely equals CPI inflation the past 10 years. Get it? Wall Street’s lost more than 20% of your money the… Read more »

Top tech companies 5 years from now

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

Description: Now that 2010’s Fortune 500 list is out, Techmate debates which companies are likely to rise or fall on the list in 2015. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/16/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/04/16/tm_fortune_500_5yrs.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis presented? Which other companies do you think offer good chance for capiatl growth?