Description: Shares of Aflac have taken a beating lately but name recognition is helping the insurer turn things around. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/06/10/mkts_mids_aflac.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you consider Aflac a good investment today? How about insurance companies in general? Why might recent natural and man-made disasters be interpreted as… Read more »
Monthly Archives: June 2011
Is ING Direct up for grabs?
Description: Ally, CIT, and GE could be in the running to takeover the online banking company, ING Direct. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/07/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/06/07/mkts_mid_ing.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this is a good fit for GE? Why would ING be selling this division?
The Supercycle: A Longer Range View of Emerging Markets
Description: Some investment pros see the emergence of Asian and Latin American economies as a third industrial revolution—a decades-long “supercycle” Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/09/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jun2011/pi2011069_910102.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments in this report. Do you agree with the fundamental points that are made?
50,000 BitTorrent users sued for alleged illegal downloads
Description: The turn of the 21st century was rife with bitter anti-piracy lawsuits pitting studios against their potential customers, with music labels banding together to blast Napster — and its massive user base — to smithereens. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/10/technology/bittorrent_lawsuits/index.htm Questions for discussion: How can this legal intervention affect BitTorrent? Is the business… Read more »
Man vs. Machine
Description: In the epic battle of man versus machine, machines have a growing price advantage. Source: NYTimes.com – video report Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/10/man-vs-machine/?ref=economy Questions for discussion: Summarized the essence of the report. What does this report suggest to investors about a return to fuller employment and recovery? What other factors affect managerial decision making?
Toyota Expects 31% Profit Slump
Description: Toyota Motor said Friday that it expected its annual net profit to fall almost a third from the previous year, hurt by production disruptions after the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/business/global/11toyota.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for Toyota’s drop in profits. Do you think… Read more »
Groupon IPO: Tech boom or bubble?
Description: Deal site Groupon and music service Pandora could continue the tech IPO boom started by LinkedIn and Renren. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/06/03/mkts_groupon_pandora.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think there is a bubble forming in these tech stocks? Do you think these firms are raising sufficient funds for growth purposes?… Read more »
Fed – 0% interest fallout
Description: Thomas Hoenig, head of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank says 0% interest rates lead to inflation and economic imbalances, with an unclear long-term impact. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/01/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/06/01/n_ss_hoenig_gps.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the economic arguments made by Mr Hoenig? What are the consequences for businesses… Read more »
U.S. stock investors to focus on Fed, Apple, OPEC
Description: U.S. stock investors, bruised by five straight weeks of losses, will watch how the Federal Reserve responds to a spate of bleak economic data — which could include its Beige Book report — for an indication of whether the market will fall further. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 06/04/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stock-investors-to-focus-on-fed-apple-opec-2011-06-04 Questions for… Read more »
General Motors Said to Weigh Buying Shares From Treasury
Description: General Motors Co. executives have discussed buying shares from the U.S. Treasury Department to reduce the government’s 33 percent stake in the automaker, three people familiar with the matter said. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-06-03/general-motors-said-to-weigh-buying-shares-from-treasury.html Questions for discussion: What do you think is the best financial strategy for the company? What is wrong… Read more »
