Description: Despite concerns that Apple is no longer innovating, investors (including Carl Icahn) can’t ignore the attractive valuation and $147 billion in cash. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 10, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/10/investing-the-buzz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think Apple is a good buy, now that investors have further reduced valuations upon seeing the… Read more »
Monthly Archives: September 2013
Men’s Wearhouse is out of style
Description: Investors flee the retailer after disappointing sales and earnings. Will ousted chairman George Zimmer try to take the company private? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/12/investing-buzz-mens-wearhouse-sales-george-zimmer-private.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why do failing companies typically go private? Do you think the firm needs new management in order to revive sales… Read more »
Obama’s Wall Street Bank Rescue Stabilized Economy at a Political Cost
Description: When Barack Obama took office, the economy appeared to be on the brink of catastrophe. Despite the previous administrations commitment of several trillion dollars from every available arm of government to prop up the reeling financial system, nothing seemed to have worked. Banks were still hemorrhaging cash, and it was feared some would go… Read more »
Companies Embrace Low Interest Rates by Selling Bonds to Raise Billions
Description: For companies looking to raise money through the debt markets, and the bankers egging them on, it seems no sum is too large.Verizon Communications shattered records and shook up the bond world on Wednesday when it sold $49 billion of investment-grade corporate debt at one time. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/verizon-set-for-49-billion-debt-sale/?ref=business… Read more »
Why Starbucks Could Double Again
Description: In the course of its 21 year stock history, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) has doubled exactly 8 times. Minus the brief but major dips, the stock has taken off since ’08, and it has had a consistent rise in price for the last 6 years. Almost in a straight upward line. This year alone it… Read more »
JCPenney’s newest customers: hedge funds
Description: A number of hedge funds including Hayman Capital and Glenview Capital are buying up JCPenney stock in the hopes of turning around the troubled retailer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 04, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/04/investing-the-buzz-jcp-glenview-hayman-capital.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What do you think these new buyers of stock see in the company? How does… Read more »
Bond yields hitting 3%? Not so fast!
Description: Fewer jobs were added than expected in August, which may be a sign that the economy is not strong enough yet for the Fed to start tapering its monthly asset purchases. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 06, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/06/investing-the-buzz-us-bonds-taper-jobs-report.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Explain the connection between bond prices and the interest… Read more »
A Social Entrepreneur’s Quandary: Nonprofit or For-Profit?
Description: In 2002, at the age of 18, Saul Garlick started a program to fight poverty by building schools in rural South Africa. Source: NYTimes.com Date: July 10, 2013 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/business/smallbusiness/a-social-entrepreneurs-dilemma-nonprofit-or-for-profit.html?ref=smallbusiness Questions for Discussions: What are the financial advantages and disadvantages of the switch to for-profit in this case? What would your advice be?
Why We’ll Be Better Off if the Walmart Protests Fail
Description: Employees of the big box store are planning a national day of protest for higher wages. Economist Richard Vedder on why we’ll all be in trouble if they get their way. Source: Thedailybeast.com Date: Sep 05, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/why-we-ll-be-better-off-if-the-walmart-protests-fail.html Questions for Discussions: How would a jump in minimum wage to $12/hour affect companies now… Read more »
Syria needs liberal capitalism, not missiles
Description: Revolutions, wars and the emergence of totalitarian movements are rarely just about grand ideals, political philosophy or theological disputes. Source: Telegraph.co.uk Date: Sep 04, 2013 Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10284077/Syria-needs-liberal-capitalism-not-missiles.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the political economic arguments presented in this report. Do you agree with the assessment? What role do western investors play in this situation?
