Kodak Bankruptcy May Bet on Printing

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

Description:  As Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) investors bet the 131-year-old photographic pioneer was headed for bankruptcy, the company decided Chapter 11 was the simplest way to become the leaner digital printing specialist it aspires to be. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/20/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-19/kodak-bankruptcy-may-shed-photography-bet-on-digital-printing.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the bankruptcy and sale of assets will… Read more »

Sir Richard enters the business of banking

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description:  Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson on his new foray into the banking business with takeover of the ill-fated British bank,Northern Rock. http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/01/10/n_branson_virgin_money.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:   Do you think this bank will be managed differently because of the connection to Branson and the Virgin brand? Do you think this bank will perform any differently –… Read more »

Hostess, Maker of Twinkies, Files for Bankruptcy

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

Description:    Hostess Brands, known for sweet treats like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, is back in Chapter 11. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link:  http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/hostess-files-for-bankruptcy/?ref=business Questions for discussion: Why do you think the firm is in financial difficulty again? What is the financial condition of the firm? What would you advise management do today?

Weil: Why Zombie Banks Hate to Write Off Bad Loans

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: There’s a simple explanation for why the world’s zombie banks remain so reluctant to write off worthless assets and tap the equity markets for fresh capital. They don’t want to end up like UniCredit SpA. (UCG) Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/financial-frankness-is-a-bad-dream-for-a-bank-commentary-by-jonathan-weil.html Questions for discussion: What is the explanation for not writing off bad… Read more »

Can anyone save Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

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Description:  It has been more than three years since then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson fired his famous metaphorical bazooka and the federal government seized control of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Source: Fortune.com   Date: 01/11/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/11/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion:  According to the report, what are the reasons for ongoing problems at… Read more »

Private Equity: Hero or Villain?

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

Description:  Now that it’s become a campaign issue, it’s worth asking: Is private equity good for America? Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/private-equity-hero-or-villain-01112012.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Do you agree with these assessments?

Investing in a bi-polar world

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: Blackrock’s Chief Equity Strategist Bob Doll discusses the Europe debt crisis, U.S. corporate earnings and the social unrest. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/06/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/01/05/mkts_ss_blackrock_doll_2012.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Bob Doll concerning the global economy. Do you agree that with his assessments? How would you approach investing today?

A Historical Cycle Bodes Ill for the Markets

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  AT the turn of the last century, it was widely accepted that American stocks were virtually certain to be good long-term investments. Now, far fewer people are confident of that. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/business/economy/a-historical-cycle-bodes-ill-for-the-markets.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the model presented in this report. Do you agree with the analysis presented in… Read more »

Not buy-and-hold, but buy-and-sell rarely

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: BOSTON (MarketWatch) — As investment strategies go, it’s pretty simple one. Even better, it’s one that will improve, according to the authors of a newly published paper, the risk-adjusted return of your portfolio without much fuss. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 01/05/2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/not-buy-and-hold-but-buy-and-sell-rarely-2012-01-05?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategy described in this report. Do you… Read more »

Here comes the big profit lie

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Description:  Wall Street expects corporate miracles in 2012, and that means trouble. Source: Fortune.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/06/profit-expectations-unrealistic/?iid=SF_F_LN Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this critique of Wall Street. Do you agree with this assessment? Is there anything to be done by regulators?