Bill Gross quits Pimco: Why did he leave

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Description: Bill Gross, co-founder and chief investment officer of Pimco, will join Janus Capital Group. Gross, who has presided over the world’s biggest bond fund for almost three decades, will start Sept. 29 at a new Janus office in Newport Beach, CA, and will begin managing the Janus Global Unconstrained Bond Fund on Oct. 6,… Read more »

Stocks break away from Euro on Draghi stimulus

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: In today’s “Global Outlook,” Bloomberg’s David Ingles takes a look at the prospects for European markets on “On The Move Asia.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Sep 26, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/draghi-put-stocks-break-away-from-euro-lN~c7DAvSPSTRmeEEnTPZg.html Questions for Discussions: Why do you think there has been a divergence between stocks and the Euro recently? Summarize the… Read more »

Why digital marketers should be excited about Apple Pay

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Description: The service creates an instant audience for new mobile marketing and customer loyalty apps, like those used by automotive retailer Pep Boys to steer campaigns. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 26, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/26/digital-marketing-apple-pay/ Questions for Discussions: How might Apply Pay affect cash flow at Apple? Do you think it represents a significant growth opportunity… Read more »

Pimco Total Return ETF Suffers $10.9 Million of Outflows

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Description: Pacific Investment Management Co.’s main exchange-traded fund saw outflows of $10.9 million the day before the surprise departure of Bill Gross, who co-founded and served as chief investment officer of the world’s biggest manager of bond mutual funds. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 27, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-27/pimco-etf-suffers-10-9-million-of-outflow-on-gross-exit.html Questions for Discussions: How have investors reacted to… Read more »

Mobile Master: KakaoTalk Creator Becomes One Of South Korea’s Richest Billionaires

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Description: On KakaoTalk, South Korea’s number one mobile-messaging service, users spend hours crushing candy on popular games, sharing photos and videos with friends, and sending cute emoticons and digital stickers. That’s all thanks to Kakao Corp. cofounder and chairman, “Brian” Kim Bum-Soo, who launched the service in 2010 and ever since has been perfecting a… Read more »

Alibaba Debut Makes a Splash

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Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA +38.07% , China’s largest e-commerce company, on Friday became a publicly traded technology powerhouse, launching a blockbuster share offering in New York that drew attention world-wide. Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://www.wsj.com/video/ratings-pro-alibaba-looks-stronger-than-facebook/9A9B4058-603D-4DE0-AD85-1ACBE286EE76.html Questions for Discussions: What is motivating purchasers of the Alibaba IPO? How… Read more »

This is how a stock is born

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Description: As Alibaba goes public, the New York Stock Exchange could see the biggest business transaction in history. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 18, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/09/18/alibaba-how-a-stock-is-born.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How is a new stock introduced to the trading floor? Do you think this procedure enables a smoother transition to normal trading?

Alibaba IPO: It’s official—Wall Street wins, you will lose

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Description: Alibaba’s IPO pop was stupendous. Wall Street and its favorite clients get billions of dollars in found money. And those who let this happen should be thoroughly ashamed. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/19/alibaba-ipo-its-official-wall-street-wins-you-will-lose/ Questions for Discussions: What is the basis for the criticism in this report? Do you agree?

The Dumb Money Is Getting Smarter Every Day 

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Description: In the parlance of Wall Street, there’s the “smart money” and the “dumb money.” The dumb money falls for investing fads, sells into market panics and pays ridiculous fees. The smart money doesn’t. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 17, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-17/the-dumb-money-is-getting-smarter-every-day-.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the changes taking place in investing, according to the… Read more »

The Government Keeps Helping People Buy Failing Cold Stone Creamerys

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

Description: Would you loan someone money to buy a Cold Stone Creamery franchise if you knew that more than a quarter of those loans default? If you’re the U.S. government, the answer is yes. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 16, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-16/franchises-the-government-keeps-helping-people-buy-failing-brands#r=nav-fst Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose the SBA loans continue to be… Read more »