Expedia takes off

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description:   Shares of Expeida surge after the travel site says it will split into two companies, one for TripAdvisor and one for Expedia.com, hotels.com and hotwire. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/08/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/04/08/mkts_expedia_0408.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why did Expedia shares jump so dramatically? What does this say about the values of the separate… Read more »

The Megabus Effect

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  After decades of decline, the bus is the U.S.’s fastest-growing way to travel, led by curbside service from Megabus, BoltBus, and others. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_16/b4224062391848.htm Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the current business models for transportation? What are the competitive advantages for this firm? Why… Read more »

China data spark chorus of upgrades

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

Description: China stocks could be bright spots in coming weeks and months, according to analysts, who say strong earnings momentum and a potential peaking of inflationary pressures bode well for the outlook. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 04/07/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-data-spark-chorus-of-upgrades-2011-04-07?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented about China? Do you agree with the projections?

Setback in Rosneft Deal Suggests BP Misread Russia

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: For major oil companies these days, geopolitical acumen is as essential as deepwater engineering. Just ask the British oil giant BP. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/08/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/bp-rosneft-deal-faces-another-setback/?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about international deals and risks? How can businesses mitigate their risks?

Stiglitz: Tax the rich

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

Description:   The economist says the upper 1% has to be taxed more; they have ‘close to a quarter of all the income and 40% of all the wealth. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/31/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/31/n_ss_tax_rich.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  What does this report have to say about the current tax system? Do you agree… Read more »

Dow Theory Fans Anxiously Await ‘All Clear’ Signal

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: MarketWatch.com senior columnist Mark Hulbert tells markets editor Laura Mandaro why fans of the Dow theory of market investing are getting excited by a potentially bullish signal. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 04/01/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/dow-theory-fans-anxiously-await-all-clear-signal/954E3637-B6DD-4044-8FD2-14AEECABB362 Questions for discussion: Summarize the readings and interpretations of the investing theories mentioned in the report.  Which do… Read more »

Investors buckle up for Mr. Market’s wild ride

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Mutual fund and exchange-traded fund investors embraced U.S. stocks again in the opening weeks of the year — only to be reminded of why they’d fled. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 04/01/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-buckle-up-for-mr-markets-wild-ride-2011-04-01?pagenumber=1 Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the next 12 months of stock market activity? Do you agree with this… Read more »

‘Lehman Shock’ Is Kid Stuff Next to Fukushima: William Pesek

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

Description: Of all the tremors being felt in Tokyo, Masaaki Shirakawa is experiencing some of the biggest. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 03/31/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-31/-lehman-shock-is-kid-stuff-next-to-fukushima-commentary-by-william-pesek.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented about Japan? What are the best and worst case financial scenarios, in your opinion?

S&P 500 Posts Longest Winning Streak Since February on Economy

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: U.S. stocks rose, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its first back-to-back weekly gain since February, as reports showing faster-than-forecast growth in jobs and consumer spending bolstered economic optimism. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/02/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-02/s-p-500-posts-longest-winning-streak-since-february-on-economy.html Questions for discussion:  What does this report have to say about the economy and investors’ attitudes? How important… Read more »