Billionaire’s Buy List

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

Description:  Warren Buffett, George Soros, Carl Icahn are buying stocks and that’s a bullish sign, says James Altucher, Wealth Adviser contributor. There’s plenty to learn from their picks, Altucher explains to Dow Jones’ Veronica Dagher. Source: Marketwatch.com  – video report   Date: 08/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/billionaire-buy-list/F84B011C-5B35-494E-9249-73A6DB19B2D6 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for these particular… Read more »

The double-dip debate

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Bank of America’s Ethan Harris and Mizuho Securities’s Steven Ricchiuto discuss the possibility of a double-dip recession. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report    Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/27/n_ss_lake_panel.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize and evaluate the opinions presented? What would you advise investors to do under the current conditions, given your views of the future? What… Read more »

A busy August for deals fuels M&A speculation

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

Description:  Stagnant stocks, corporate cash piles, low rates, may spur more acquisitions Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-busy-august-fuels-ma-speculation-2010-08-27?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion:  What reasons are presented to explain the level of current M&A activity? What would cause this activity level to change? Do you think these deals are valued correctly, given the conditions that are… Read more »

Treasury Two-Year Yields Increase Most Since April After Bernanke Speech

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

Description: Treasuries dropped, pushing two-year note yields up the most since April, after remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke tempered speculation that the central bank will step up debt buying. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 08/28/2010 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-28/treasury-two-year-yields-increase-most-since-april-after-bernanke-speech.html   Questions for discussion: Summarize the recent activity in treasuries and the bond market. What do you… Read more »

United-Continental Merger Clears Federal Hurdle

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

Description: The Justice Department said late Friday that it had cleared the planned $3 billion merger between United Airlines and Continental, lifting the biggest regulatory hurdle to the creation of the world’s top airline. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/28air.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you believe that the stocks and bonds of this new airline will… Read more »

AM Report: Deals Make a Comeback

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

Description:  Global merger activity is at its highest levels since late 2009, presenting a glimmer of economic confidence even as the stock and bond markets continue to price in a weakening U.S. economy. Anupreeta Das and Dennis Berman discuss. Also, Dan Michaels discusses the race among 21 American museums to land one of the three… Read more »

BHP Billiton will take bid directly to Potash shareholders

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

Description:  Mining giant BHP Billiton went on the attack Wednesday, saying it will take its nearly $39 billion takeover bid for Potash Corp. straight to shareholders after the fertilizer firm’s board spurned the offer as grossly inadequate. Source:  Marketwatch.com    Date: 08/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bhp-billiton-takes-bid-to-potash-shareholders-2010-08-18?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the arguments favoring the acquisition of… Read more »

The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description:  The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20 Questions for discussion:  Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with… Read more »

M&A Sees August Revival as Companies Tap $3 Trillion

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

Description: Companies sitting on almost $3 trillion in cash are starting to spend it, putting what is typically the slowest month for mergers and acquisitions on course to be the busiest this year. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 08/20/2010 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-08-20/m-a-sees-august-revival-as-companies-tap-3-trillion.html   Questions for discussion: Summarize the current state of M&A activity? What are the reasons for… Read more »

Druckenmiller to Shut Fund After 30 Years as Stress Takes Toll

Posted by & filed under Management Issues.

Description:  Hedge-fund icon Stanley Druckenmiller is quitting the business after three decades, telling investors he’d been worn down by the stress of trying to maintain one of the best trading records in the industry while managing an “enormous amount of capital.” Source: Businessweek.com   Date: 08/18/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-08-18/druckenmiller-to-shut-fund-after-30-years-as-stress-takes-toll.html Questions for discussion: What are the reasons… Read more »