Ashton Kutcher Is a Really Successful Venture Capitalist

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

Description: Michael Kelso is long gone. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 25, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2jqkz9R Questions for Discussions: Is there a common thread in the investments Ashton Kutcher has made over the years that explains his investment thinking? Why do you suppose he has been so successful in making these early investment entries… Read more »

To Understand a Tax on Mexican Imports, Consider the Avocado

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

Description: Enjoy the guacamole as you watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. Some of the ingredients might be a little more expensive next year. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 27, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/business/economy/importers-tax-mexico.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the affect of the tax, as presented in this report. Which businesses and industries are likely to be… Read more »

Trump calls U.S.-Mexico trade one-sided — and here’s the reality

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

Description: WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Is a 1994 trade deal with Mexico really as one-sided as President Donald Trump claims? Does Mexico benefit much more than the United States? A close look at trade between the two countries shows the answer is not cut and dried. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Jan 27, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-calls-us-mexico-trade-one-sided-heres-the-reality-2017-01-26 Questions for… Read more »

2017 Is Shaping Up as a Volatile Year for Markets

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

Description: The world’s most famous measure of volatility in financial markets is flashing a sign akin to boredom — languishing around levels that prevailed before the global crisis. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 26, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-26/2017-is-shaping-up-as-a-volatile-year-for-markets Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this report. Do you agree with the assessments and recommendations?

Elon Musk’s surprising secret weapon: Trump?

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

Description: Trump meets with tech execs Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 20, 2017 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/20/technology/elon-musk-trump/index.html?iid=hp-toplead-dom Questions for Discussions: What does this article say about the connections between these tech-giants and government? Do you think the new administration will be a boost to the tech-sector?

Big Ten Universities Entering a New Realm: E-Sports

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Description: In a recognition of the popularity of e-sports on college campuses, most Big Ten universities will field teams in the multiplayer online game League of Legends and compete in a style resembling conference play, in a partnership with the Big Ten Network. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 19, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/sports/big-ten-is-entering-a-new-realm-e-sports.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »

Trump’s inauguration is set to unleash a cascade of stock-market anxiety

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

Description: The dollar, Russia, China, Mexico are just a few of the risks of a Trump presidency as Wall Street awaits inauguration Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Jan 20, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-inauguration-set-to-unleash-cascade-of-stock-market-anxiety-2017-01-19 Questions for Discussions: Summarize what the article says about this transition period and risk perceptions. Do you agree with the assessments?

How Deutsche Bank Made a $462 Million Loss Disappear

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

Description: A dubious trade leads to a criminal trial for Europe’s most important bank Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 19, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-01-19/how-deutsche-bank-made-367-million-disappear Questions for discussion: Summarize the sequence of events presented in this report. What is your assessment?