U.S. Stocks Funds Have Second-Worst Year as Clients Pull Out

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

Description:  U.S. stock mutual funds that invest in domestic equities had their second-worst redemptions last year as record market swings sent investors to the perceived safety of bond funds. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-06/u-s-stocks-funds-have-second-worst-year-as-clients-pull-out.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. What does the report suggest about possible future economic… Read more »

Analysis: U.S. casinos, vendors eye big online-poker stakes

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

Description:  Louis Castle has been preparing for this moment for months. Even before the Justice Department effectively gave the green light for states to legalize online gambling, the Shuffle Master Inc chief strategy officer had assembled a design team for a multiplayer gaming platform, kicked off a hiring plan, and made preparations to launch the… Read more »

Investors flee gold and hedge funds

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

Description:  TrimTabs CEO Charles Biderman says money flowed out of gold and hedge funds and into bonds and bank savings accounts in 2011. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/29/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/28/n_trimtabs_ceo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Charles Biderman concerning investor behavior and the economy. Do you agree with his assessments? How… Read more »

U.S. & Brazil: 2012’s breakout stars

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

Description:  Fund managers at Fortune’s investors roundtable single out the U.S. and Brazil as the likely star performers of 2012. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/28/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/12/28/mkts_2012_breakout_stars.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessments presented by these fund managesr? What would you advise investors do today?

Zynga in same boat as other 2011 tech IPOs

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Description:  (MarketWatch) — As we expected, Zynga has so far not been a stock you wanted to buy on its first trading day, not if you were hoping to make a quick buck. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 12/30/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/zynga-in-same-boat-as-other-2011-tech-ipos-2011-12-30?dist=beforebell Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights that explain the stock price movements in this report. Do… Read more »

10 worst business predictions of 2011

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Description:  From a muni meltdown to a recovery in bank stocks to a Yahoo turnaround, we were told a bunch of things would happen this year that didn’t even come close. Source: Fortune.com   Date: 12/30/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1112/gallery.worst-predictions-2011.fortune/index.html Questions for discussion: Which prediction seems particularly weak, given 20-20 hindsight today? What does this report suggest… Read more »

BofA’s ‘Three-Ring Circus’ Posts Worst Showing in Dow Average

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Description:  Bank of America Corp. is on track to be this year’s worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average as concern about mounting mortgage losses and a global economic slowdown weighed on the second-biggest U.S. lender. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/30/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-30/bofa-s-three-ring-circus-posts-worst-showing-in-dow-average.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Is… Read more »

Google Backing Israel Entrepreneurs Amid Funding Gap

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Description:  The Google Inc. (GOOG) executive with his bright yellow vest was impossible to miss in the middle of the Israeli startup owners seeking cash in a rusty boathouse at Tel Aviv’s Jaffa port. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 12/29/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-29/google-backs-israeli-startups-as-local-financing-hits-12-year-low-tech.html Questions for discussion: Describe the way in which venture capital investors find Israeli start-ups. What… Read more »