How Long Will Markets Stay Calm?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  Call it the calm after the storm: Markets are now more placid than they’ve been in years. Volatility across a range of assets is now at the lowest level since 2007. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index, or VIX (also known as the fear index), which tracks the expected price of buying… Read more »

Exclusive: The $1.3 billion bond deal haunting Goldman

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

Description:  The Securities and Exchange Commission is likely to bring charges soon against Goldman Sachs (GS) for a 2006 mortgage investment deal. The agency hasn’t said which one yet, but Fortune has learned there’s a good chance the SEC’s case will focus on Fremont Home Loan Trust 2006-E, a bundle of more than 5,000 mortgages… Read more »

Avon rejects $10 billion Coty offer

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

Description:   Beauty company Coty Inc. has submitted an offer to buy Avon Products, Inc. for about $10 billion on Monday, but Avon rejected the offer. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 04/02/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/02/news/companies/avon-coty/index.htm?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: What do you think of the offer? How would you evaluate the stock value?

Web surfers to pay online using Facebook, Twitter

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

Description:   A one-click online payment system using Facebook and Twitter that could boost Internet sales for newspapers, music vendors and other low-priced goods and services is being tested by a major European media company, according to its developer. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 04/02/2012 Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/02/paycento-internet-idUSL6E8F22AW20120402 Questions for discussion: Do you think this sort of micro-payments system,… Read more »

Bank stocks: Hot sector or future losers?

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

Description:  Big bank stocks rallied in early 2012. Will investors continue to support them, or will uncertain regulations kill the rally? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/30/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/03/29/mkts_panel_banks.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the arguments presented in this report. Why have banks rallied? Do you believe there is more to come?

Annie’s IPO rakes in the cheddar

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  Organic food company Annie’s makes its public debut and investors are salivating. But there are other organic options for the IPO averse. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/28/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/03/28/mkts-bz-annies-ipo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think Annie’s represents too narrow a focus in this industry group? What are the risks for the group,… Read more »

Video: Analyst calls RIM results a ‘disaster’

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: BNN speaks to Peter Misek, Analyst, Jefferies. Source:  BNN.ca – video report Date: 03/30/2012 Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-analyst-calls-rim-results-a-disaster/article2386846/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the managerial and financial aspects in this report. Do you think RIM stockholders can recover? What strategy would you recommend to management?

Best Buy’s moves meet with investor skepticism

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description:  Best Buy Co., the largest U.S. electronics chain, swung to a fourth-quarter loss, hurt by charges and lower sales of notebook computers and televisions. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 03/30/2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/best-buy-swings-to-loss-to-shut-50-stores-2012-03-29?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for Best Buy’s financial problems. Do you think they can be resolved easily? What are  the arguments for… Read more »

The cloud hanging over Mazda

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

Description:   The spitfire Japanese auto maker long thrived as a purveyor of sporty-yet-thrifty vehicles. Now, its independence has put it in jeopardy. Source:  Fortune.com Date: 03/30/2012 Link:  http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/30/the-cloud-hanging-over-mazda/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons Mazda is in trouble. What are some possible solutions that you would suggest to management?

IPOs Suffer Slow Start as Facebook Readies Sale

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:   In a year heralding the landmark initial public offering of Facebook Inc. (FB), share sales got off to a slow start. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 03/30/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-30/ipos-suffer-slow-start-as-facebook-readies-sale-to-spur-rebound.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights presented in this article. Do you agree with the analysis? Where do you see the IPO market headed this year?