BullHorn: Gap logo, MSFT, ADBE

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: LULU and FOSL have been ridiculously hot stocks this year. Gap has a new silly logo. Microsoft and Adobe rumors are just melodrama. Source: CNNMoney.com  – video report Date: 10/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/10/08/mkts_bh_fashion_msft_adbe.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reports on each company. Do you agree with these assessments? What would your investment strategy be with… Read more »

Markets Hub: Maybe It Is a Currency War

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: It’s not just the Bank of Japan; central banks from Brazil to South Korea are trying to tamp down their currencies, which is driving up commodities like gold and crude, as well as stocks. Anna Raff, Mike Reid and Paul Vigna discuss. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report    Date: 10/04/2010 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/markets-hub-maybe-it-is-a-currency-war/08AD6BBE-77FC-43FD-BB72-018865ECDDDE Questions for… Read more »

Investor safe haven or bubble about to burst?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:  Corporate bonds have been on a tear since the market collapse of 2008, as investors sought refuge from a tumultuous stock market. Source:  CNNMoney.com   Date: 10/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/08/markets/bondcenter/corporate_bonds/index.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the analysis presented in the article? Do you agree with the opinions presented? How would you approach investing in bonds?

IBM Hits Record as Palmisano Focuses on Software, Services

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: International Business Machines Corp. rose to the highest level since it went public in 1915 as investors show support for Chief Executive Officer Sam Palmisano’s strategy of remaking the 99-year-old company. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 10/07/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-07/ibm-rises-to-highest-closing-price-since-computer-company-s-1915-offering.html   Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategies used by Sam Palmisano to boost IBM share value. Do… Read more »

I.M.F. Doesn’t Press China on Currency

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

Description: The world’s financial leaders failed on Saturday to reach agreement on how to contain an escalating currency dispute that has threatened to undermine global cooperation on economic recovery. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 10/09/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/business/global/10imf.html?_r=1&ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the situation and the concerns over currencies. What role should be played by the IMF… Read more »

The Income Appeal of Dividend-Paying Stocks

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:  Ed Perks, lead manager of Franklin Income Fund, explains why dividend-paying stocks are attractive and looks at how they can be affected by deflation or inflation. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 10/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/the-income-appeal-of-dividend-paying-stocks/102E4918-98D8-4881-8317-C128092E3701 Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments favoring dividend-paying stocks during periods of inflation or deflation? Do you agree… Read more »

Why gold, stocks and bonds are all rising

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Gold, stocks and bonds rising together reflect the barbell approach investors are taking, Wells Capital Management’s Gary Schlossberg tells Laura Mandaro. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report    Date: 09/30/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/why-gold-stocks-and-bonds-are-all-rising/87C37AA9-B47A-472E-851D-7F429D9E95CD Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented? What is your read of the current price movements in the markets? What is your economic forecast… Read more »

Time for a Debt Haircut

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  Ireland is struggling to cover its bank debt and U.S. homeowners are wheezing, too. Peter Coy says the next step should be debt writedowns. Source:  Businessweek.com   Date: 09/30/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_41/b4198005675038.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the economic and financial analysis presented in the article? Do you agree with the notion that debt will have… Read more »

Emerging Markets Head for Record Bond Sales as Yields Plunge

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: Emerging-market borrowers are on course to sell more bonds than ever this year after yields hit record lows and developing economies rebounded faster from the credit crisis than advanced nations. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 10/01/2010 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-01/emerging-markets-head-for-record-sales-of-bonds-as-yields-plunge-to-lows.html   Questions for discussion: Why are emerging market bond sales soaring? What risks are there to this investing… Read more »

China Will Buy Greek Bonds, Support Shipping Industry, Wen Says in Athens

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

Description:  “From the outbreak of the sovereign debt crisis in certain European countries at the start of this year I have repeatedly voiced China’s support of measures adopted by the European Union and International Monetary Fund,” said Wen, who began a tour of European capitals in Greece yesterday. “China supports a steady euro and it… Read more »