El-Erian: QE3 can’t deliver

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Pimco CEO Mohamed El-Erian discusses fears about Europe, more easing from the Fed and congressional ‘dithering.’ Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/23/investing-el-erian-qe3-fiscal-cliff.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentary in this report. Do you agree with the assessment by El Erian?

How financial feminists invest $64 million

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

Description: From a Dry Soda company to biodegradable diapers, Golden Seeds is making money by investing in women-led start-ups. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 24, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/08/24/n-golden-seeds.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Is there a fundamental advantage or disadvantage to investing this way? Why might firms run by women have greater financial success?

eBay: The biz to beat in mobile payments

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

Description:   Forget Google Wallet and Square, eBay and its payment unit PayPal are the top dogs in mobile payments … at least for now. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/23/investing-mobile-payments-ebay-google.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What makes eBay so attractive to investors today? Would you be an investor?

Was Facebook a set up for Morgan Stanley?

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

Description:  Did Morgan Stanley’s mutual-fund bet on Facebook Inc.’s initial public offering backfire or was it a set-up that burned investors in those funds? Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Aug 24, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/was-facebook-a-set-up-for-morgan-stanley-2012-08-24?link=MW_story_investinginsight Questions for Discussions: What are the arguments presented in the video report? Do you think  it was a set-up?

Weak Sales and a Large Write-Down Give H.P. a Loss

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

Description:  The pressure is building for Meg Whitman to make a miracle happen. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 22, 2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/technology/weak-sales-hurt-hp-in-quarter.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial condition at HP and the industry in general. What can management do to affect change in a positive direction? Would you be an investor today?

Worst may not be over for Facebook

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

Description: Facebook shares hit a new low Thursday after insiders were given the chance to sell. But the stock still looks overvalued and risky. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 17, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/17/investing-bz-facebook.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize commentary in this report about the valuation and forecast for Facebook stock. How would you go… Read more »

Bored traders share merger gossip

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

Description: Rumors of the acquisitions of Electronic Arts and Coinstar by private equity firms helped traders beat the dog days of summer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 16, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/08/16/investing-bz-EA-Coinstar.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the factors that contributed to the speculation reported in this video? Do you think these reasons are… Read more »

Small Business Still Credit-Crunched, New York Fed Poll Says

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Small businesses in metro New York are still having trouble borrowing, according to a new poll released today by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Aug 15, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-14/small-biz-still-credit-crunched-new-york-fed-poll-says#r=nav-img Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the state of small business borrowing? Can you offer additional explanations… Read more »

In the Calm of Summer, Stocks Climb Gingerly

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

Description: Stocks approached their highest levels of the year on Friday in the wake of some mildly encouraging economic data, closing out their sixth-straight positive week. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 17, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/business/daily-stock-market-activity.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: Summarize the summer activity in stock markets. Do you agree with the explanations provided for this behavior? Where… Read more »

Facebook, Zynga and Groupon unlock pain

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

Description:  Investors in once-hot social media stocks such as Facebook, Zynga and Groupon have gotten some painful lessons on the effects of supply and demand, which analysts say may hurt other Web firms contemplating an initial public offering. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Aug 17, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-zynga-and-groupon-unlock-pain-2012-08-17 Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about… Read more »