Is Gold the Next Bubble?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  With gold having run up to record prices of late, some have wondered whether the yellow metal is likely to be the next bubble? Brett Arends discusses. And Peter Lattman profiles C. Dean Metropoulos, an low-profile investor with a knack for rebuilding old brands like Chef Boyardee, Bumble Bee and Schlitz. His most recent… Read more »

Revolution Investing: Don’t Panic

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  The time to get fearful is when other people are greedy, and people are not greedy right now, according to Fox Business anchor Cody Willard, who advises taking the other side of the prevalent, extreme emotions particularly in technology. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/revolution-investing-dont-panic/31940285-9DF8-431B-9510-4A8E4FCBF9A3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Toys ‘R’ Us files $800 million IPO

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Toys “R” Us is seeking to raise $800 million in stock through an initial public offering, hoping to clear some debt from its balance sheet, the company said in a securities filing Friday. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 05/28/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/28/news/companies/toys_r_us_IPO/index.htm   Questions for discussion: How does this IPO help the firm? What are the advantages… Read more »

Treasury 10-Year Yield Falls Most in 17 Months on Europe Crisis

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  Treasuries climbed in May, lowering 10-year yields the most since the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates to a record low in December 2008 to spur the economy, on speculation efforts to contain Europe’s debt crisis will slow the global economic recovery. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 05/29/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aXJVN2j1ufUM Questions for discussion:  Explain the reasons… Read more »

House Votes to Eliminate Hedge Fund Tax Break

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

Description:  The House passed a bill on Friday that would end a tax break for executives of investment funds, leaving hedge funds, private equity firms and venture capitalists scrambling to ease the effects of the bill before it is taken up by the Senate next month. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 05/28/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/business/29carried.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »

Euro Hit By German Proposals to Ban Shorts

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

Description:  Germany’s unilateral plan to stop short-selling doesn’t look well thought out. Dow Jones Newswires’ Mark Cranfield reports. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/19/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/euro-hit-by-german-proposals-to-ban-shorts/1A26355B-337A-4DF9-91DB-8E8047F8536B Questions for discussion: Summarize the positive impact that this ban is expected to have on markets? What negative impact is also possible? Given these considerations, is the… Read more »

Dell profit jumps on strong sales to businesses

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description: Dell Inc. said Thursday that strong demand from business customers helped drive the PC maker’s profit up 52% in its most recent quarter. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 05/20/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/20/technology/Dell/index.htm   Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about Dell’s future stock value? How can Dell improve growth prospects? Explain why margins are so… Read more »

Treasuries Advance on European Debt Concern, Inflation Outlook

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  Treasuries climbed, pushing the benchmark 10-year note yield to the lowest level in a year, as a drop in stocks, a plunging euro and U.S. data showing a lack of inflation damped investor appetite for higher-yielding assets. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 05/22/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aWUL9jshR76A Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns of investors and their… Read more »

Market Edge: Dividend Hike a Healthy Sign

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description:  Companies that regularly increase their dividend payments are often steady stock picks, according to Don Taylor, manager of Franklin Rising Dividends Fund, who talks with MarketWatch’s Jonathan Burton about the stocks that meet his investment criteria. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/17/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/market-edge-dividend-hike-a-healthy-sign/CFE526EF-6662-4AE0-B2F9-A80E7D6D5CD2 Questions for discussion: Summarize the thinking about growth,… Read more »

Steve Jobs Makes The Worst Trade Ever

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation.

Description:  Brett Arends tells us about one of the greatest trade blunders ever – a decision by Steve Jobs in 2003 to accept a safer but much lower returning investment in exchange for his 55 million Apple Stock options, now worth nearly $13 billion. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/steve-jobs-makes-the-worst-trade-ever/74CD1F05-723A-4E63-BB16-DA4AC94AFFD5 Questions… Read more »