After Goldman’s Concession, Regulators May Be Satisfied

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  First, Goldman Sachs. Now — what? Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 07/16/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/business/17legal.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think Goldman Sacs received fair treatment from regulatory bodies? How do you interpret the meaning of the fine? How do you think the fine and overall experience will affect practices by firms like Goldman Sachs?

News Hub: Are Stocks Finally Cheap

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Paul Vigna discusses sentiment that says the market is cheap relative to fundamentals like earnings and feelings that the outlook is still too risky. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/06/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-are-stocks-finally-cheap/5332ACC8-5C89-4293-97C0-4001EDB3C307 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the major points presented in this reports. Do you think stocks are ‘cheap’? What would you… Read more »

Rex on Techs: Vonage Results Call Investors

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description:  After some tough years, Vonage, the Internet telephony company, recently started taking steps that customers, and investors, appear to like. Rex Crum says there just might be a place for Vonage as an alternative to the traditional phone carriers. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/06/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/rex-on-techs-vonage-results-call-investors/447EDE4C-45DF-41AC-A67A-5DED962439AF Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

On General Electric, investors and Wall Street don’t agree

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Shares slide faster than S&P’s decline, but most analysts say, ‘Buy’ Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/on-ge-investors-and-wall-street-dont-agree-2010-07-08?siteid=nwtwk   Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for buying or not buying GE at this time? What would you advise an investor to do? What financial indicators would you consider more important for understanding the investment quality… Read more »

Why GM May Be Worth More Than Ford

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: It has a stronger balance sheet and sells more cars in emerging markets Source: Businessweek.com   Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_29/b4187044957997.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the assessment? Do you agree with this view? Would you be a buyer of either of these firms today? What are the financial metrics that you would… Read more »

Volcker Pushes for Reform, Regretting Past Silence

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: JUST before the Fourth of July weekend, Paul A. Volcker packed his fishing gear and set off for his annual outing to the Canadian wilds to cast for Atlantic salmon. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 07/09/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/business/11volcker.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the main points presented in this article. According to Paul Volcker, which reforms… Read more »

AM Report: Stocks Poised to Extend Selloff

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Stock futures in the U.S. moved lower as investors awaited key manufacturing data after a similar gauge from China disappointed. Mark Hulbert, David Weidner and Paul Vigna discuss. Also, Scott McCartney discusses why airlines are finally refurbishing their coach cabins after years of delays. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/am-report-stocks-poised-to-extend-selloff/549BA8C3-C41E-4855-844C-383BEA2C0CED… Read more »

7 Reasons the S&P 500 Should Hit 1500

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Despite a sea of pessimism, Wealth Adviser columnist James Altucher tells Dow Jones Newswires’ Veronica Dagher seven reasons the S&P 500 should hit 1500 and why investors should be optimistic. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/7-reasons-the-sp-500-should-hit-1500/415ADC1B-4D66-461F-9F20-CA597CE4165C Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for optimism? Do you agree with this… Read more »

Bond rally reflects gloom – but don’t bet on it lasting

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: As benchmark yields fall to April ’09 lows, some see second-half rebound. The recent steep rally in U.S. Treasury bonds, helped by investor jitters over European debt and weakening U.S. economic data, isn’t likely to last, say some bond investors and strategists. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bond-rally-reflects-gloom-dont-bet-on-it-lasting-2010-07-02   Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Russian Revamp of Legal System May Free 100K Entrepreneurs

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: Russian lawmakers say they plan to overhaul the law on economic crimes, resulting in the early release of as many as 100,000 imprisoned executives and entrepreneurs as the government seeks to attract investors. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-01/russian-revamp-of-predatory-legal-system-may-free-100-000-entrepreneurs.html Questions for discussion: What do you think of the Russian approach to “investment management”?… Read more »