Description:  A commitment to reform in Europe could mean the euro is a better value than the greenback, according to currency fund manager Axel Merk. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/08/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/07/07/mkts_buzz_euro_dollar.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the views presented. Do you agree with the analysis? How would you advise investors to deal with… Read more »
Monthly Archives: July 2011
AM Report: Higher Jobless Rate May Thwart Recovery
Description: The News Hub covers the nation’s unemployment rate, that ticked up to 9.2% in June. The rise in jobless figures, coupled with only 18,000 non-farm payrolls created, has some calling into question the prospects for economic recovery. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/08/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/am-report-higher-jobless-rate-may-thwart-recovery/DDDB1206-F400-4733-8ECE-800C734ED4F0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the economic consequences of… Read more »
The Boom and Crash Cycle of I.P.O.’s
Description: THE global market for initial public offerings of stock, which was hot in late 2010, has cooled. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 07/08/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/the-boom-and-crash-cycle-of-ipos.html?ref=business Questions for discussion:Â Do you agree with the analysis presented? What would kick-start activity again? Do you believe these conditions will return shortly?
The Housing Horror Show Is Worse Than You Think
Description: Despite some upbeat news, key housing market statistics point to years of stagnation Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 07/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-housing-horror-show-is-worse-than-you-think-07072011.html Questions for discussion: What are the implications of this report for home owners, home builders, and investors? What would you advise each of these groups in today’s market?
Sniping at Charges for Swiping Debt Cards
Description: Both merchants and banks balk at a Federal Reserve compromise on fees that businesses pay financial institutions Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/sniping-at-charges-for-swiping-debt-cards-07072011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. Do you agree or disagree with the decision? Who should set price for these services? What are the consequences… Read more »
BlackBerry maker’s struggles
Description: Shares of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion are down 50% from the start of the year, largely due to disappointing smartphone and tablet sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the demise of company’s share value. Given that the product sells well outside of North America, what… Read more »
Greece Sells Assets to Whittle Down Debt
Description: To help get out of its debt crisis, the Greek government has come up with a way to raise some cash: Sell off everything from planes and trains to huge parcels of land along the Greek coastline. WSJ’s Charles Forelle reports from Athens. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 06/27/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/greece-sells-assets-to-whittle-down-debt/373566C2-7323-4E8A-8797-36858953526A Questions for… Read more »
As Net Stocks Sizzle, Zynga Aims High for Its I.P.O.
Description: With a real-world profit and an inexhaustible supply of virtual cows, Zynga on Friday filed for what is expected to be one of the biggest Internet stock offerings ever, a debut whose fate is tied largely to that of Facebook’s. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 06/01/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/zynga-files-for-1-billion-i-p-o/?ref=business Questions for discussion: What is the business model… Read more »
The real story behind the market ‘boom’
Description: A new report from TrimTabs, the investment analysts, has blown the whistle on what really went on behind the stock-market “boom†we saw in the first quarter, when the S&P 500 Index rose more than 5%. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 06/29/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-real-story-behind-the-market-boom-2011-06-29?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the implications for this strategy to boost… Read more »
Morgan Stanley Goes Against the Shorts in China
Description: It’s investing $50 million in Yongye International, a fertilizer company that’s been under attack Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/29/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/morgan-stanley-goes-against-the-shorts-in-china-06302011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues in this report. What would you advise investors to do at this time?
