Buying Boeing

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

Description: Shares of Boeing are flying higher after the aerospace company landed a multi-billion dollar contract to make 180 aerial tankers for the Air Force.  Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/25/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/02/25/mkts_boeing_0225.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Is there a fundamental concern investors should have when a company is highly dependent on government related spending?… Read more »

Eyeing Inflation with Liz Ann Sonders

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Market Analysis.

Description: Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab & Co., gives her view on inflation in the U.S. now and inflationary signs to look for in the year ahead. Dow Jones’ Veronica Dagher has the interview. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 02/23/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/eyeing-inflation-with-liz-ann-sonders/5658E1E7-2BD4-498B-A73C-A7CC24C49E96 Questions for discussion:  Do you agree with the… Read more »

Buffett Says His `Trigger Finger Itchy’ to Buy, With $38 Billion in Wallet

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Warren Buffett said his “trigger finger is itchy” for takeovers after cash holdings at his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. climbed to $38.2 billion. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/26/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-26/buffett-says-his-trigger-finger-itchy-to-buy-with-38-billion-in-wallet.html Questions for discussion:   How might the fact that Warren Buffet is planning to go shopping for stocks influence other investors? Describe Buffett’s strategic thinking about investing… Read more »

Charlie Sheen is out, but money keeps pouring in

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description: The good news for the producers of “Two and a Half Men” is that Charlie Sheen’s meltdown happened during the show’s eighth season, and not the first. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 02/25/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/25/news/companies/charlie_sheen_two_and_a_half_men/index.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the financial fortunes related to the show? How does syndication impact financial planning for television production? Do… Read more »

GM shares hit post-IPO low, oil risk trumps profit

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

Description:   General Motors Co posted fourth-quarter results that topped Wall Street expectations, but its shares fell below their IPO price as investor concerns shifted to the pressure from rising oil prices and higher costs of launching and selling new cars. Source:  Reuters.com   Date: 02/24/2011 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/24/us-gm-idUSTRE71N0ZD20110224 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the financial results reported… Read more »

China’s hold on rare earths

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

Description: As China stockpiles rare earth minerals used to manufacture consumer items like iPhones and cameras, the U.S. is facing a growing shortage. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/18/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/02/18/mkts_rare_earths_china.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think domestic development of rare earth mines should proceed? How would you expect prices to move over the… Read more »

American dream still home ownership

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

Description: KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger says recovery is taking place in California and Texas and foreclosed homes are finding buyers. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/18/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/02/17/n_kb_home_lookahead.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Do you agree with the analysis presented in this report? How would investors be expected to react to the forecasts presented for… Read more »

Buffett Says Pricing Power Beats Good Management When Evaluating Companies

Posted by & filed under Management Issues.

Description:  Warren Buffett, the billionaire chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said he rates businesses on their ability to raise prices and sometimes doesn’t even consider the people in charge. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-18/buffett-says-pricing-power-more-important-than-good-management.html Questions for discussion:   What does Warren Buffet have to say about the importance of management and the ability… Read more »

NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Boerse to merge

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description: Deutsche Boerse AG on Tuesday unveiled a widely expected deal to pay about $9.5 billion to acquire NYSE Euronext, a transaction that would create an exchange powerhouse with annual revenue of $5.4 billion. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/15/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nyse-euronext-deutsche-boerse-to-merge-2011-02-15?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion:  Do you believe there are any drawbacks to this deal for investors… Read more »

Here comes the dot-com boom 2.0

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation.

Description:   Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. Zynga. Groupon. LivingSocial. Will those be the Google Inc. (GOOG 630.08, +4.82, +0.77%) , eBay Inc.(EBAY 34.53, -0.16, -0.46%) and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN 186.50, -1.26, -0.67%) of the next big wave of Internet companies going public, which appears to be happening as we speak? Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-comes-the-dot-com-boom-20-2011-02-18?siteid=nwtwk… Read more »