Sears Will Close Another 28 Kmart Stores

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

Description: As the retailer’s same-store sales fell 11.5% in Q2 2017 Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Aug 24, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2wJ2oTT Questions for discussion: Summarize the key financial reasons pushing management to close more stores. Do you think this strategy is the way to go, from a financial management point of view?

Opinion: The bad news on Amazon’s stock price is only beginning

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Description: Analyst downward revisions tend to beget even more such revisions Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Aug 26, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-bad-news-on-amazons-stock-price-is-only-beginning-2017-08-25 Questions for discussion: What is the basis for negativity on Amazon stock price? How do you think the market will respond?

Bill Nye Files $37 Million Suit Against Disney Over Royalties

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Description: Bill Nye filed a $37 million lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company and a number of its subsidiaries on Thursday, alleging that he was deprived of $9 million in profits from his show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” which originally ran from 1993 to 1998 on PBS. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 25, 2017 Link:… Read more »

The New Off-Court Play for NBA Stars Is Startup Equity

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Description: About three years ago, in February 2014, Andre Iguodala spent an off-day during the NBA season at the offices of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz in Menlo Park, Calif. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 25, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-08-24/the-new-off-court-play-for-nba-stars-is-startup-equity Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the changes taking place in finance and planning? How do you… Read more »

Indiegogo’s Difficult Path to Offering Equity Crowdfunding

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Description: Indiegogo founder Slava Rubin discusses how Indiegogo’s equity crowdfunding service has been performing since its launch in 2016. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Aug 15, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2uUo1g6 Questions for discussion: What makes this investing platform different? Who are the target customers, in your opinion? How would you assess the risks for investors?

Explaining the Swings in Bitcoin’s Price

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Description: It’s been surging since the start of 2017. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Aug 17, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2wTqtoB Questions for discussion: How is the basis of trading value of Bitcoin similar to but different from a typical stock, gold, or the US dollar? How would you characterize the risks to an investor?

Netflix Looks Like a Loser. But Here’s Why It’s Probably a Winner

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Description: Netflix Looks Like a Loser. But Here’s Why It’s Probably a Winner Source: Fortune.com Date: Aug 15, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/08/15/netflix-looks-like-loser-feels-like-winner/ Questions for discussion: Why does Netflix worry some investors? What are the reasons presented for optimism? What do you see in the firm’s future?

The World’s Biggest Tech Companies Are No Longer Just American

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Description: HONG KONG — The technology world’s $400 billion-and-up club — long a group of exclusively American names like Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon — needs to make room for two Chinese members. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 17, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/business/dealbook/alibaba-sales-revenue-first-quarter-profit.html?ref=dealbook Questions for discussion: What does the report say about competition in this industry and how… Read more »

As Wells Fargo’s woes mount, its board may be on the firing line

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Management Issues, Personal Finance.

Description: Could populist anger spur regulators to make an example of one bank’s board? Source: MarketWatch.com Date: May 31, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-wells-fargos-woes-mount-its-board-may-be-on-the-firing-line-2017-08-08?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the ability of government regulators to control behaviors in this industry? Do you think the resignation or firing of the board is appropriate? What… Read more »