The Not-So-Sweet Fight Over Maple Syrup

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis.

Description: Canadian maple-syrup output is capped by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, a kind of government-sanctioned cartel that accounts for 71 percent of world supply. But Quebec growers are now demanding the shackles be loosened as they watch competitors in Canada and the northern U.S. boost supplies to meet rising demand. Bloomberg’s Pamela… Read more »

Berkshire’s Earnings: A Surprise Boost From Kraft Heinz, But an Off Year at Geico

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

Description: In Buffett’s complex company, it all adds up to $24 billion in profits. Warren Buffett outperformed the broader market last year, by his own measure, even if his company’s performance fell short of its recent standard. Source: Fortune.com Date: Feb 27, 2016 Link: http://fortune.com/2016/02/27/berkshire-hathaway-buffett-2015-earnings/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results at Berkshire and… Read more »

Are Amazon and Apple Accurately Valued?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Aswath Damodaran, a professor of finance at New York University, discusses current stock market valuations with Bloomberg’s Alix Steel and Joe Weisenthal on “What’d You Miss?” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Feb 18, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/1Kt5Btm Questions for Discussions: Summarize the thinking about valuations presented by Professor Aswath Damodraran. Do you… Read more »

Why Silicon Valley is Worried About Backing Apple

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

Description: Apple’s business plan is built on encrypted security. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Feb 17, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/1RawBx2 Questions for Discussions: Why is Apple reluctant to help open the phone? How might the conflict between Apple and the government on this issue affect the stock price? What do you think will happen? How… Read more »

Wal-Mart Trims Forecast: Can They Turn It Around?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Wal-Mart lowered its annual sales forecast in a move it blamed on the strong dollar, adding another headache for a retailer struggling with slow U.S. traffic and decelerating e-commerce growth. Source: Bloomberg – video report Date: Feb 18, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/1UaZlbJ Questions for discussion: Summarize the situation at Wal-Mart and in retailing in general…. Read more »

The tail is wagging the dog: Gluskin Sheff’s George Young explains the 2016 market turmoil

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

Description: If you are a frequent city driver, you’ve learned to predict traffic flows to get where you need to go. But imagine that the direction of all the one-way streets was suddenly reversed, causing bottlenecks, even car accidents. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 11, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/investing-pro/the-tail-is-wagging-the-dog-gluskin-sheffs-george-young-explains-the-2016-market-turmoil Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanation for market… Read more »

There will be another financial crisis. The only question is when?

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

Description: Financial bubbles are inevitable and their pathologies virtually identical. The only variable is timing. Source: The Telegraph; FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 18, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/there-will-be-another-financial-crisis-the-only-question-is-when Questions for discussion: What are the indicators of concern, as described in the article? Do you agree with this assessment? How should investors deal with the risk?