Bernanke turns up heat on China currency policy

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

Description:  Slow pace of adjustment has thrown off natural rebalancing Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bernanke-turns-up-heat-on-china-currency-policy-2010-11-18?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Explain the basis of Bernanke’s complaint. Do you agree with his position? What do you expect the Chinese regulators to do? How should investors and financial managers react to this report?

Chanos: China’s treadmill to hell

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

Description: The short-selling hedge fund manager continues to cast doubt on the Chinese economy and its reliance on construction. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/12/n_jim_chanos_china.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns expressed about the Chinese economy and the implications for global economic activity? How would you characterize the real estate industry in… Read more »

News Hub: Does Market-Timing Beat Buy-And Hold?

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: WSJ’s Ben Levisohn and SmartMoney’s Bob Rose discuss whether it makes more sense in the current investing climate to seek a market-timing portfolio instead of traditionally recommended buy-and-hold investments. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-does-market-timing-beat-buy-and-hold/E29070D3-F73A-4914-897D-675CB2F91A85 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the key points presented in the report. Do you agree with the… Read more »

Blowing up the tax code

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  So much to love. So much to hate. That’s what everyone will find in the tax reform proposals laid out this week by the co-chairmen of President Obama’s fiscal commission. Source:  CNNMoney.com   Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/11/news/economy/simpson_bowles_tax_reform/index.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the discussions going on about tax reform. What do you think is the… Read more »

Why Oil Could Top $100 a Barrel

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204020339245.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key reasons given for the possible rise of oil prices next year? Do you agree with this assessment? What would this mean for investors?… Read more »

Why gold is a bad investment

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description:  Precious metal lures susceptible buyers into a Midas crush Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-gold-is-a-bad-investment-2010-11-12 Questions for discussion: How do you explain the run up in gold prices? Do you agree with the assessment of risk presented in the report? Would you invest in gold today? Would you invest in gold mining companies?… Read more »

The slaying of the Celtic Tiger

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

Description: Anglo Irish Bank’s unfinished head office pokes into the sky on Dublin’s North Wall Quay, a silent testimony to the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger. Source:  TheGlobeandMail.com   Date: 11/12/2010 Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/the-slaying-of-the-celtic-tiger/article1797583/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the history of the Irish economic experience. What do you think will happen to Irish markets… Read more »

Fixing Washington’s balance sheet

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

Description: Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker discusses inflationary risks, taxes and balancing the budget. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/05/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/05/n_la_debt_taxes_fed_dollar.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the risks described by Walker? What is his fundamental recommendation to government and the Federal Reserve? What do you think will happen? Given these expectations, what… Read more »

Wall Street Soars After Election

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

Description: Business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis explains why Wall Street is doing well while unemployment is still high. Source:  BNET.com – video report Date: 11/05/2010 Link: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/investing/video/wall-street-soars-after-election/481308/?tag=col1;fd-banner-roto  Questions for discussion:  Summarize the key points presented in the report. Why did the stock market respond so favorably? What do you think will happen to markets… Read more »

AIG loses $2.4 billion on asset sales

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:  AIG said Friday that it lost $2.4 billion in the third quarter on sales of insurance units, proceeds of which it plans to use to pay back the U.S. government. Source:  CNNMoney.com   Date: 11/05/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/05/news/companies/aig/index.htm Questions for discussion:  What were the reasons for AIG losses? How should investors react to this new… Read more »