The Big Interview: Sheila Bair

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

Description:  FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair talks to WSJ economics editor David Wessel about the financial-regulatory legislation pending in Congress, the current health of the banking business and what it’s like to be the sole woman among a band of powerful men. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 06/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/the-big-interview-sheila-bair/3505E1E8-BE42-4D21-8896-429459517801 Questions for discussion:  Summarize… Read more »

Markets Hub: How Low Can Yields Fall?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  In the wake of the Federal Reserve offering a subdued assessment of the economy and signaling it’s set to keep interest rates low, Treasury yields are testing record levels. The downturn in yields is happening even in the absence of the kind of panic that’s pushed yields to historic lows in the past. The… Read more »

Hit to BP’s market cap gushes past $100 billion

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: BP shares dropped as much as 9% in London on Friday, putting the drop the oil major’s market capitalization at more than $100 billion since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill began, as an analyst suggested the company needs to sell stock to assure counterparties of its financial health. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 06/25/2010 Link:… Read more »

Reliance Communications Said to Cut $3 Billion Debt Selling Towers to GTL

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: Billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications Ltd. will cut its debt by at least $3 billion by selling its mobile-phone transmission towers, people familiar with the deal said. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 06/27/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-27/gtl-to-buy-reliance-communications-towers-to-expand-mobile-phone-network.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the transaction described in the report? What were the benefits derived for each side? How will… Read more »

Dividends Are Rising. Will Stocks Follow?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: THE headlines about stock dividends have been remarkably bleak. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 06/25/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/business/27fund.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in this article. What do you think will happen to stock prices over the next 12 months? How do dividend payouts influence investor thinking?

BP Halts Dividend, Earmarks $20 Billion

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

Description:  BP said it was suspending dividend payments for much of this year and created a $20 billion fund to pay injured parties. Alan Murray and Joe White discuss. Also, Steven Gillon, a presidential historian discusses Barack Obama’s leadership style in the context of other presidents who have faced serious crises. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video… Read more »

News Hub: Do Index Funds Help Diversify?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Although diversification remains a sound idea, market cap-based indexes have the perverse effect of diminishing diversification. Michael Casey explains what you can do. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 06/16/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-do-index-funds-help-diversify/EA723B82-4976-41B5-9578-22F0ADAF8E49 Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues related to index investing.  Do you agree with the analysis presented by the commentators? What… Read more »

RIM may be feeling the heat from Android, iPhone

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Though analysts still expected Research In Motion Ltd. to post strong double-digit gains in both sales and earnings for its recently-ended first fiscal quarter, there is a growing sense that the company is facing more pressure from the fast-growing lineup of new smart phones on the market. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/research-in-motion-may-see-effects-of-competition-2010-06-18  … Read more »

CBOE, Oasis Lead $1.15 Billion in IPOs in Biggest Week of 2010

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  The market for U.S. initial public offerings showed signs of recovering this week as companies from CBOE Holdings Inc. to Oasis Petroleum Inc. sold $1.15 billion of shares in the biggest week for IPOs this year. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 06/19/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aiuUv_LFsZDM Questions for discussion: Summarize the tone of the report? What is… Read more »

Peddling Relief, Firms Put Debtors in a Deeper Hole

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

Description:  For the companies that promise relief to Americans confronting swelling credit card balances, these are days of lucrative opportunity. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/business/economy/19debt.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in this article for firms, government regulators, and the customer. Do you believe more regulation by government or the financial services… Read more »