Description: Heinz, owned by Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G, are scooping up the maker of Velveeta. Will Warren Buffett look to acquire even more food companies? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 25, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/25/kraft-heinz-buffett-merger.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the reasons that explain consolidation in the food industry? Which other… Read more »
Monthly Archives: March 2015
Oil analysts haven’t been this divided in 8 years: What’s an investor to do?
Description: Standard Chartered Plc’s Paul Horsnell forecasts oil will rise to US$90 a barrel in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Francisco Blanch predicts US$58. Six months ago, they were just US$1 apart. Source: NationalPost.com/Bloomberg – video report Date: March 26, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/27/oil-analysts-havent-been-this-divided-in-8-years-as-market-gets-messier-so-whats-an-investor-to-do/?__lsa=62a8-b7e6 Questions for Discussions: What are the reasons for diverse… Read more »
Swoosh! Nike pops despite strong dollar
Description: Nike’s guidance for its future orders was surprisingly weak. But that’s only because of the dollar’s surge. Investors are excited that demand remains strong, especially in China and Europe. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 20, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/20/nike-stock-buzz.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How does the strong U.S. dollar affect Nike’s financial performance? Explain… Read more »
Investors fly away from U.S. stock funds at a rate last seen in 2009
Description: Don’t expect European inflows to keep up torrid pace: analysts Source: MarketWatch.com Date: March 28, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-flee-us-stock-funds-at-a-rate-last-seen-in-2009-2015-03-27 Questions for discussion: Why are investors moving into European stocks? When do you think it will taper off?
Lululemon Athletica Inc rebounds after yoga-wear maker reassures investors that problems are temporary
Description: Canadian yogawear retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc forecast earnings and revenue below expectations on Thursday, but its shares rose after executives said the weak outlook was largely due to temporary West Coast port delays and currency factors. The stock was up 6.2% at US$64.73 in morning trading, with investors reassured that the outlook did not… Read more »
Will the Fed raise interest rates to the detriment of the stock market?
Description: Fortune senior editor Stephen Gandel and writer-reporter Christopher Matthews discuss if the Federal Reserve raising interest rates is a good thing for the economy long-term. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: March 13, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1b8kdxr Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentaries about a rate hike and the consequences for the economy? What do… Read more »
Are Alibaba’s Problems Expiring Along With Its IPO Lockup?
Description: Starting today, some of Alibaba’s earliest investors can sell their stakes, six months after the company went public in the biggest market debut in history. Source: Forbes.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/03/18/alibaba-ipo-lockup-expiration/ Questions for Discussions: What contributed to the recent decline in the stock price? What would suggest better prices in the not too distant… Read more »
Here’s what stocks do in the months just before a rate hike
Description: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — It seems increasingly clear that the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2006 is now just months away, and that is making investors nervous. But should it? Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-what-stocks-do-in-the-months-just-before-a-rate-hike-2015-03-06 Questions for Discussions: What does the report suggest is the typical market response to rate… Read more »
Here’s a Look at How the Dollar Is Clobbering Other Currencies Around the World
Description: A fantastic new report from Bloomberg Briefs examines the state of currency markets around the world. This graphic offers a nice visualization of how different currencies have been getting clobbered against the dollar during the past year. As you can see, huge losers include the Russian ruble, the Norwegian krone, the Brazilian real, the Swedish krona, and… Read more »
Valeant Inc lands Salix Ltd with knockout bid, but forced to pay more than expected
Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals scored a knockout punch Monday in the bidding war for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., even though a frenetic M&A race in the pharmaceutical industry forced it to pay more than it originally hoped. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: March 16, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/16/valeant-inc-lands-salix-ltd-with-knockout-bid-but-forced-to-pay-more-than-expected/ Questions for discussion: Why are pharma mergers and acquisitions like this one… Read more »
