Watchdog: TARP will lose up to $50B

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:   The outgoing Special Inspector General of TARP says that even though most banks are repaying the government, TARP will lose money. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/25/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/25/n_velshi_barofsky_sigtarp.cnnmoney/  Questions for discussion:  What does this report have to say about the success or failure of TARP? How might businesses that were bailed out… Read more »

Buying Uranium Stocks On The Dip

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: The selloff in uranium stocks has prompted Encompass Fund manager Malcolm Gissen to add to his positions, he tells MarketWatch’s Laura Mandaro. Plus, Japan’s quake recovery is likely to slow demand for rare earths, but only temporarily. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 03/22/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/buying-uranium-stocks-on-the-dip/5564E8A7-8C17-4211-AB37-8509564EE85A Questions for discussion: Summarize the investing strategies argued… Read more »

What hedge fund managers know about making money

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: Knowing what stocks are held by top hedge fund managers is a useful source of investment ideas and an important risk factor for individual investors to consider. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-hedge-fund-managers-know-about-making-money-2011-03-25 Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the relationship between hedge funds and investing strategies? Do you agree with… Read more »

Crunch time for RIM

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Jim Balsillie would like the world to think he has more than a few tricks left up his sleeve. Whether Research In Motion Ltd.’s co-chief executive does is the question analysts are struggling to answer. Source:  FinancialPost.com Date: 03/26/2011 Link:  http://business.financialpost.com/2011/03/26/crunch-time-for-rim/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented for RIM and Apple. Why have… Read more »

Postal Service: 7,500 workers, $20,000 buyouts

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

Description: The Postal Service is offering a $20,000 buyout to thousands of veteran workers as part of its bid to eliminate 7,500 administrative jobs, the agency announced Thursday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/24/news/economy/postal_service/index.htm Questions for discussion:   Summarize the financial situation at the Postal Service. How differently might a private enterprise respond in this situation?… Read more »

No Buyers for Barnes & Noble at 60 Cents on Dollar: Real M&A

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Description:  Even with Barnes & Noble Inc. selling for 60 cents on the dollar, the cheapest retailer in America still isn’t cheap enough to entice private-equity buyers looking for cash. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-25/no-buyers-for-barnes-noble-at-60-cents-on-dollar-real-m-a.html Questions for discussion:  What does this report have to say about the financial viability of this business model? What… Read more »

Japan quake threatens global supply

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description:   Some say the quake’s hit to Japan’s manufacturing sector will have a profound impact on the global supply chain, CNN’s Kyung Lah reports. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/18/2011 Link:   http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/18/n_japan_supplychain.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  What does this report have to say about the global nature of business? How might businesses be expected to… Read more »

Green investing’s golden moment

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: Green energy investor Alan Salzman says this past week’s major spike in green energy stocks correlates to Japan’s nuclear crisis. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/08/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/18/n_salzman_green.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the investing strategies in energy as argued by Alan Salzman.  Do you agree with his thinking? What do think the industry… Read more »

Many Banks Are Clinging to Billions in Bailout Money

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

Description: Even as the nation’s biggest banks stepped further out of the government’s shadow on Friday, hundreds of financial institutions were still clutching to billions of taxpayers’ dollars. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 03/18/2011 Link:  http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/many-banks-are-clinging-to-billions-in-bailout-money/?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the current situation with respect to the results of the bail-out and the status of the banks… Read more »

Bruised investors face Libya, Japan news, U.S. data

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description:  Investors are entering next week’s markets after five volatile days of trading, and they could encounter another bruising ride driven by fast-moving events in Japan, Libya and parts of the Middle East. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 03/18/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/uneasy-investors-face-libya-japan-news-us-data-2011-03-19 Questions for discussion:   Summarize the major influences of this week on investors and business financial managers…. Read more »