Description: Shares of big health care companies have soared since the Affordable Care Act went into effect. UnitedHealth is at a record high following solid earnings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/21/obamacare-healthcare-stocks.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why have health insurers done well? Do they still represent a good investment going forward?
Monthly Archives: January 2015
Shake Shack looks to make as much as $80 million in its IPO
Description: It’s the burgers time to shine in the restaurant market right now as New York City’s Shake Shack announces it’s trying to net as much as $80 million in its initial public offering. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 20, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1KYveip Questions for Discussions: Explain the investor appeal in these food… Read more »
Currency trading isn’t for amateurs
Description: There should be a sign hanging outside the foreign-exchange market that reads: Amateurs need not apply. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/investing/fxcm-swiss-currency-trading/index.html?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: Why is currency trading so risky, according to the report? Why does it attract traders?
Druckenmiller Alums at PointState Make $1 Billion on Oil
Description: Hedge fund manager Zach Schreiber stood on stage at Avery Fisher Hall in New York eight months ago and made a bold prediction. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-20/druckenmiller-alums-at-pointstate-make-1-billion-on-oil.html Questions for discussion: What was the basis for shorting oil? How should investors view oil today?
Francs, Fear and Folly
Description: Ah, Switzerland, famed for cuckoo clocks and sound money. Other nations may experiment with radical economic policies, but with the Swiss you don’t get surprises. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 15, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/paul-krugman-francs-fear-and-folly.html?mabReward=R5&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East®ion=Footer&module=Recommendation&src=recg&pgtype=article Questions for Discussions: Summarize the actions taken by the Swiss to manage the franc. What is the concern for the US… Read more »
Are low oil prices good or bad for the economy?
Description: Fortune’s Stephen Gandel explains how low oil prices are affecting market trends across the globe. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 16, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1BcnAhx Questions for Discussions: Summarize the keys points made in this report. How should investors be expected to respond? How can companies “defend” against the expected investor reaction?
“Oscar Bump” pays big
Description: Oscar nominations are expected to bring in millions of extra dollars for films nominated for or winning Academy Awards. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 17, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1sHlzH2 Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about the value of an Oscar influence on profits? Can investors factor this into investing strategies?… Read more »
Wall Street Doesn’t Want You Unless You’re a Robot
Description: Want to work on Wall Street? Suit up, turn your spell check on, and leave your risk-taking, self-starter attitude home. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Jasn 13, 2015 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-13/wall-street-doesnt-want-you-unless-youre-a-robot#r=hpt-fs Questions for discussion: What does the article say about hiring at Wall Street firms? Are you surprised?
Individual investors lose more than $400 million on bad Swiss currency bets
Description: In the wake of the 2008 market crash, a growing number of individual investors jumped into currency trading under the impression that it was a safer bet than stocks. On Thursday, investors learned just how wrong they were. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 16, 2015 Link: http://fortune.com/2015/01/16/swiss-franc-400-million-losses/ Questions for discussion: What are the lessons investors… Read more »
10 things investors won’t tell you
Description: 1. We have no idea what we’re doing… Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Jan 17, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-investors-wont-tell-you-2015-01-16 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the research presented in this report. What should the industry of professional money managers do with this information?
