El-Erian’s Cash-Stash Strategy Catches on as Bond Rout Deepens

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: Mohamed El-Erian said he’s favoring cash when managing his own money. The idea is catching on in the bond market as benchmark 10-year U.S. yields rise to the highest level since May. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Oct 28, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/2e3JFIV Questions for Discussions: What is happening in the global bond markets?… Read more »

Six Reasons Tesla Wants to Take Over Your House

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Description: Elon Musk is about to unveil a home solar system that could transform electricity. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Oct 28, 2016 Link: http://bloom.bg/2dLWLHq Questions for Discussions: What are the concerns about the merger, as expressed in the video clip? Do you think this deal is good for shareholders?

Get Ready for the Rooftop Solar Stall

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

Description: This was supposed to be solar’s moment. Residential panel installations in the U.S. grew 71 percent in 2015 as the falling cost of panels made the power they generate more competitive. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 20, 2016 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/get-ready-for-the-rooftop-solar-stall Questions for discussion: Why has growth stalled in this industry? Summarize the business model changes… Read more »

TD Ameritrade, Scottrade deal is the sign of an industry in the midst of major change

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Personal Finance.

Description: TD Ameritrade’s US$4 billion deal to acquire Scottrade Financial Services Inc. will not only give the company greater scale, but also highlights the ongoing push of discount brokerages into the wealth management sphere amid growing competition in the financial services market. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Oct 25, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/td-ameritrade-scottrade-deal-marks-an-industry-in-the-midst-of-major-change?__lsa=64cb-7420 Questions for discussion: What does… Read more »

Opinion: Here’s proof that investors are wising up to Wall Street’s earnings game

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

Description: When a company’s earnings have beaten expectations this season, the stock has barely risen Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Oct 28, 2016 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-proof-that-investors-are-wising-up-to-wall-streets-earnings-game-2016-10-28 Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about the “game” going on? What do you think of this analysis?

AT&T Mulls Reinvention for Web With $86 Billion Time Warner Deal

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Description: Time Warner Inc. and AT&T Inc. have survived the evolution of color TV and cable over the decades. Now, they’re contemplating a merger to adapt to the latest technological shifts: smartphones and streaming. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 22, 2016 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-22/at-t-mulls-reinvention-for-web-with-86-billion-time-warner-deal Questions for Discussions: What is the rational behind the merger? Do you think… Read more »

The Tech Bubble Didn’t Burst This Year. Just Wait

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Description: The industry has splintered into a few sure bets and everything else. That isn’t helping guide us out of the iPhone era into whatever’s next. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 20, 2016 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/the-tech-bubble-didn-t-burst-this-year-just-wait Questions for discussion: What are the concerns raised in this article? Do you agree with the analysis? What would you advise… Read more »

Think Your Retirement Plan?Is Bad? Talk to a Teacher

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Description: Schoolteachers and others who pursue careers of service in exchange for modest?paychecks get lightly regulated retirement plans that often charge excessive fees. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 21, 2016 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/your-money/403-b-retirement-plans-fees-teachers.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about the administration of these plans? Are there legitimate reasons for concern? What would you advise… Read more »