Diamonds for investment, love and bling

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation.

Description: Buying a diamond at a jewelry store is not a good investment, but if you can get the rock at wholesale prices, it could be lucrative. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 24, 2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/12/24/pf-diamonds-investment-quest.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How are wholesale diamond prices set? Do you think they represent a good investment… Read more »

Alternative Investments on Fiscal Uncertainty

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation.

Description: Pimm Fox discusses markets, investing and business. He speaks with Erik Schatzker on Bloomberg Television’s “Bottom Line.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Dec 28, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/VcbLPz Questions for Discussions: What is the basis for setting a value for these “investments”? What are the carrying costs? Do they represent a good… Read more »

Pearson Buys 5% Stake in Barnes & Noble Nook

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Description:  Jon Erlichman and Cory Johnson report on Barnes & Noble Nook’s not so merry Christmas. They speak on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg West.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source:  Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Dec 28, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/12UHLfR Questions for Discussions: Explain the logic of the investment by Pearson. How would a deal with B&N affect cash… Read more »

Big cut, big raise for Apple, Netflix CEOs

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  Apple Inc.’s chief executive Tim Cook took a 99% pay cut in 2012, while Netflix Inc. CEO Read Hastings saw his salary doubled for 2013. Source:  Marketwatch.com.com Date: Dec 30, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/big-cut-big-raise-for-apple-netflix-ceos-2012-12-30 Questions for Discussions: What is the issue surrounding these executive pay reports? Do you believe executive compensation for Tim Cook is… Read more »

‘Cheap’ stocks are not always good buys

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

Description: Investing lessons from 2012: HP and other dogs may keep sliding. Winners like Apple may continue to do well. Close analysis is crucial. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 18, 2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/12/18/investing-2012-retrospective.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the investing advice offered in this report? Do you think it contradicts conventional thinking about… Read more »

GM Buying 200M Shares, U.S. to Exit in 12-15 Months

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

Description: Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) — Bloomberg’s Dominic Chu reports that General Motors will purchase 200 million shares of its stock from the U.S. Treasury as part of the department’s plan to sell its entire holding of GM stock within 15 months. He speaks on Bloomberg Television’s “In The Loop.” Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date:… Read more »

Are executives too big to jail?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Management Issues.

Description: Critics ask why many bankers don’t face money-laundering charges Source: Associated Press: VancouverSun.com Date: Dec 19, 2012 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/executives+jail/7719105/story.html#ixzz2FVWyW6mP Questions for Discussions: Do you think some executives should be jailed? What are the implications if they are and what are the implications if they are not jailed? How should financial penalties be decided in… Read more »

In a World Full of Risk, Why Are Investors So Calm?

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

Description: The economy and markets of 2012 sport nearly as many risk factors as a Cialis ad: Four years into full monetary tilt, does the Federal Reserve much know what it’s doing, and should we grow to expect QE6? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Dec 19, 2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-19/in-a-world-full-of-risk-why-are-investors-so-calm#r=nav-r-story Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reporter’s perceptions of… Read more »

UBS Is Fined $1.5 Billion for Manipulating Libor Rates

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

Description:  UBS AG (UBSN)’s $1.5 billion fine for rigging global interest rates expands the scandal to include bribery and highlights the influence of a trader in Tokyo who colluded with other banks to align their submissions. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: Dec 19, 2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-19/ubs-libor-fine-soars-as-traders-bribed-brokers-to-fix-libor-rate.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the manner… Read more »