What’s next for oil prices?

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

Description: Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman talks with Fortune’s Susie Gharib about his predictions for oil prices. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Sep 24, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1VbQrgC Questions for Discussions: What advice does Stephen A. Schwarzman provide to the investors? Do you agree with his analysis and recommendations?

Who’s Left to Sell U.S. Stocks? Mood Darkens Most Since Volcker

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

Description: Investors hate stocks– again. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Sep 21, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-21/who-s-left-to-sell-u-s-stocks-mood-darkens-most-since-volcker Questions for Discussions: Why are investors leaving markets? What are the reasons given for optimism at this time? Do you agree with this analysis and assessment?

3 things you need to know about the Volkswagen scandal

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: You might have heard that VW has admitted to cheating on emissions tests. But how did they do it? And what does it mean if you’re driving a diesel-powered Volkswagen? CNNMoney auto expert Peter Valdes-Dapena explains everything you need to know. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 23, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2015/09/22/volkswagen-emissions-cheating-scandal-explained.cnnmoney/ Questions for… Read more »

Opinion: Forget VW — GM and Ford stocks are ‘dirt cheap’

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Description: With dividend yields above 4% and low P/E valuations, the two major U.S. car companies should be long-term winners Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Sep 25, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/forget-vw-gm-and-ford-stocks-are-dirt-cheap-2015-09-25?dist=countdown Questions for discussion: Explain the reasoning behind the recommendations in this report. Do you agree?

The hedge funder at the center of the drug-increase controversy has a long history of alleged bad behavior

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: The story of a young former hedge fund manager buying a lifesaving drug and then jacking up the price by more than 5,000% has ignited a firestorm. Source: BusinessInsider.com Date: Sep 24, 2015 Link: http://www.businessinsider.com/martin-shkrelis-history-of-lawsuits-2015-9 Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this report. Where do you stand with respect to the behavior… Read more »

Fed’s Decision on Rates Rattles Some Global Markets

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

Description: Global markets were largely down on Friday after the United States Federal Reserve signaled fresh concerns over slowing growth in China and other emerging markets. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 17, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/19/business/asian-markets-open-with-mixed-response-to-feds-decision-on-rates.html?ref=international Questions for Discussions: What are the reasons given for global market movements? Do you agree with this analysis?

Occam’s razor says the stock market is in a downtrend

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

Description: Investors can forget the “death cross,” “bearish divergences” and “symmetrical triangles,” and what the Federal Reserve says it will do about interest rates, and just focus on Occam’s razor: The S&P 500 abandoned its long-term uptrend in late August, meaning it is now in a downtrend. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Sep 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/occams-razor-says-the-stock-market-is-in-a-downtrend-2015-09-18… Read more »

Opinion: Stock-market recovery won’t be far off, so hold tight

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Management Issues.

Description: After three years, the U.S. markets inevitably caught up to crash statistics. Ending a long period of relatively tranquil equity advances, the market is currently seeing its first major drop in years. Though declines are normal, this instance stands out because of just how long it’s been compared with the normal crash frequencies. Source:… Read more »

Robots Will Help Iron-Ore Miners Survive Price Rout

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Description: When the rout in prices ends for the world’s iron-ore producers, those left standing probably will have more robots on their side. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 10, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-10/surviving-iron-ore-blood-bath-requires-a-lot-more-mining-robots Questions for discussion: How is robotics changing the mining industry? What are the financial planning implications related to this trend?