Do Big Businesses Make Sense Anymore?  

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Just look at Airbnb, Uber, and Facebook. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Mar 18, 2016 Link: http://for.tn/1Rn5rqf Questions for Discussions: What do think about the commentary presented in this report? What are the economic and financial implications for this vision of corporations? How would investment, investors and the financial services industry be affected?

The Netflix of Fashion: Rent the Runway Streams Wardrobes

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: The Netflix of Fashion: Rent the Runway Streams Wardrobes Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Mar 24, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/1q4RukG Questions for Discussions: Do you think this business model is sustainable? Explain your thinking? Do you think low barriers to entry present a problem for this firm’s growth? How would you characterize the risk… Read more »

In Yahoo, Another Example of the Buyback Mirage

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: It is one of the great investment conundrums of our time: Why do so many stockholders cheer when a company announces that it’s buying back shares? Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 25, 2016 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/business/in-yahoo-another-example-of-the-buyback-mirage.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: What is the buyback mirage warning all about? How should investors weigh firms that choose to take… Read more »

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc creditors prepare to slam company with tougher demands in face of possible default: sources

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

Description: NEW YORK – Creditors of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which has been in violation of lender agreements since Wednesday, are beginning to demand new terms that could further pressure the drugmaker’s business model, according to three people familiar with the matter. Source: Reuter.com/FinancialPost.com Date: Mar 21, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/market-moves/valeant-pharmaceuticals-international-inc-creditors-prepare-to-slam-company-with-tougher-demands-in-face-of-default-sources Questions for Discussions: Do you think… Read more »

Would You Pay 25 Cents to Read an Article? Blendle Certainly Thinks So

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: BLENDLE IS A Dutch media startup that lets you pay a few cents for individual news articles online—the much chattered-about micropayments model that’s one of many on a long list of strategies destined to save the business of journalism (or not). And now it’s available in the US. Source: Wired.com Date: Mar 23, 2016… Read more »

IMF’s Lagarde Says Negative Rates Have Helped Global Economy

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

Description: The world economy would be worse off without negative interest rates, according to International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Mar 18, 2016 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-18/imf-s-lagarde-says-negative-rates-have-helped-global-economy Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentaries presented about recent monetary policies? What is your opinion about how monetary policy should deal with global… Read more »

After $600 Million Typo, Valeant CEO Is Back on the Hot Seat

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

Description: Michael Pearson and his company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., were supposed to calm Wall Street doubters on Tuesday. Instead: chaos. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Mar 15, 2016 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-15/after-a-600-million-typo-valeant-s-ceo-is-back-on-the-hot-seat Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for Valeant’s share value collapse, according to the report. Do you think it has collapsed completely and… Read more »

Cuban on his crusade against the SEC — and when he’ll be satisfied

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

Description: When he’s not hounding referees at Dallas Mavericks games or doling out money to would-be entrepreneurs on “Shark Tank,” Mark Cuban has made a hobby of offering often biting criticism of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: WashingtonPost.com Date: Mar 17, 2016 Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/cuban-on-his-crusade-against-the-sec–and-when-hell-be-satisfied/2016/03/17/619d9e9a-ebae-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html Questions for discussion: Summarize Mark Cuban’s position with respect to… Read more »

Did central bankers make a secret deal to drive markets? This rumor says yes

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

Description: Speculation is flourishing about a tacit “Shanghai Accord” Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Mar 18, 2016 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/did-central-bankers-make-a-secret-deal-to-drive-markets-this-rumor-says-yes-2016-03-18 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the theory presented in this report. What is the evidence presented? Do you agree with the analysis?

‘Fickle’ millennials blamed for Chipotle’s downward spiral

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

Description: Chipotle downgrade to rare underperform rating at Jefferies, which cited weak February trends and rising marketing costs Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Mar 18, 2016 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-stock-drops-after-rare-bearish-call-at-jefferies-2016-03-17 Questions for Discussions: Why has Chipotle stock been down-graded by this analyst? Do you agree with the assessment and predictions for recovery?