Fed’s Bond Buying Won’t Help

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

Description: Whatever the Federal Reserve does to lower interest rates further won’t help the U.S. economy, according to First Pacific Advisors fund manager Tom Atteberry, who says that’ll just weaken the dollar and hurt savers. Deborah Levine reports. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/fed-bond-buying-wont-help/1ABF00C0-B59C-492E-A0B3-E66664FBBB7E Questions for discussion: Summarize the main comments made… Read more »

digits: Steve Jobs Jabs at Competition

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: On yesterday’s earning call, Apple CEO Steve Jobs issued a string of criticisms about Apple’s rivals from Research in Motion and Google to unnamed companies making seven-inch tablets. Plus: what analysts have to say this morning about Apple’s growth overriding concerns. Peter Kafka and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discuss on Digits. Source: Marketwatch..com  – video report… Read more »

Caterpillar beats but sales mix worries investors

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) reported stronger-than-expected earnings on Thursday and raised its full-year forecast, but warned that a number of factors could weigh on its performance next year, and its shares fell as much as 2.8 percent. Source:  Reuters.com   Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69K27Y20101021 Questions for discussion:  What is the significance of the financial results… Read more »

Google 2.4% Rate Shows How $60 Billion Lost to Tax Loopholes

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

Description:  Google Inc. cut its taxes by $3.1 billion in the last three years using a technique that moves most of its foreign profits through Ireland and the Netherlands to Bermuda. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-21/google-2-4-rate-shows-how-60-billion-u-s-revenue-lost-to-tax-loopholes.html Questions for discussion: Are Google’s actions unethical or illegal?  What does this report have to say about the… Read more »

China prompts rare earth consumers to look elsewhere

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

Description: Japan and South Korea moved on Friday to reduce their dependence on China’s rare earth metals amid fears export reductions by Beijing could be the trigger for a broader trade conflict as nations joust over currencies. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 10/22/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69L27D20101022 Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance for investors… Read more »

News Hub: Markets Focus on Bernanke Speech

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

Description:  Paul Vigna discusses how Bernanke’s speech at the Boston Fed will likely play out in the markets, along with fresh data on inflation and retail sales. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/15/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-markets-focus-on-bernanke-speech/A2ACEBAE-022C-4E50-A009-00B48B736CFB Questions for discussion: Summarize the main comments made about the Ben Bernanke’s speech. What is “asset inflation” and why… Read more »

Cutting Back: Ireland Deals With Property Bust

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

Description:  As Ireland copes with the aftermath of a large property bust, it faces a new wave of emigration but also innovation, as a group of architects band together to create a micro economy. WSJ’s Andy Jordan reports from Dublin. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report    Date: 10/12/2010 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/cutting-back-ireland-deals-with-property-bust/01A39122-5330-4101-8DA1-739C2E5EF877 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Facebook employees must pay big to cash out

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

Description:  Although Facebook isn’t yet public, employees and other insiders have been able to cash out some of their equity through private stock-sale deals. But the company is trying to dump cold water on that rapidly heating up market: Facebook recently began charging employees a $2,500 fee if they sell their private stock. Source:  CNNMoney.com… Read more »

Coal India Plans Nation’s Largest IPO as Asia Offerings Surge

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

Description: Coal India Ltd. will sell as much as 151.54 billion rupees ($3.4 billion) of shares in the nation’s biggest initial public offering, helping the government raise funds to build roads and power plants as IPOs in Asia surge. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 10/13/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-12/coal-india-to-sell-stock-at-225-rupees-to-245-rupees-in-initial-share-sale.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance… Read more »

Rum Battle in Caribbean Leaves Tax Hangover

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

Description:  Rum and politics have made a fiery mix since America’s earliest days, when a young politician named George Washington won election to the House of Burgesses in colonial Virginia with the help of spiked punch at the polls. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 10/15/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/business/16rum.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to… Read more »