Apple crosses $900 billion. Next stop: $1 trillion?

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Description: Apple’s market value on Friday briefly topped $900 billion for the first time. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 03, 2017 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/03/investing/apple-market-value-900-billion/index.html Questions for discussion: Explain Apple’s financial success? Why do investors like the stock? Do you see any reason for concern over the current stock valuation?

J.C. Penney Shares Are Popping on Surprisingly Strong Sales

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Description: J.C. Penney (JCP, +13.82%) gave investors a rare good surprise on Friday when it reported better than expected third-quarter sales, sending shares up 14% in pre-market trading. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 10, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/11/10/jcpenney-results-2/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial changes at J.C. Penney? What explains these results? Do you think the firm… Read more »

Tesla’s junk bonds are trading under water — and it could spell trouble for Elon Musk

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Description: Tesla Inc. first-ever pure corporate bonds are trading under water, boding ill for the Silicon Valley car maker’s next attempt to tap capital markets. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 11, 2017 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/teslas-junk-bonds-are-trading-under-water-and-it-could-spell-trouble-for-elon-musk-2017-11-10?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the financial concerns for Tesla and investors? What strategy would you recommend to bond and stock holders… Read more »

Musical.ly, a Chinese App Big in the U.S., Sells for $1 Billion

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Description: SHANGHAI — The only Chinese social-media company to build a major network outside China will be taken over by a fast-growing Chinese upstart. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 10, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/business/dealbook/musically-sold-app-video.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: What might explain the valuation of this deal? What does this deal say about valuations for other social media firms?

Keystone Clients Are Ready to Fill It With Oil, If Nebraska Allows

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Description: TransCanada Corp. gave its strongest signal yet that it has enough demand from producers to fill the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline with oil. Now the ball is in Nebraska’s court. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 10, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-09/transcanada-profit-meets-estimates-as-keystone-xl-decision-looms Questions for discussion: What should investors consider in order to fairly evaluate the firm’s stock and future… Read more »

Here’s what the market charts are saying for the rest of the year:…

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Description: Bill Strazzullo, Bell Curve Trading chief market strategist, takes a technical look at the markets to explain where the rally will be by year’s end. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Oct 26, 2017 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/10/31/heres-what-the-market-charts-are-saying-for-the-rest-of-the-year-strategist.html Questions for discussion: What does Bill Strazzullo say about the reasons for current market valuations and where they… Read more »

Stock market busts through the weakest 6-month period, which bodes well for the rest of the year

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Description: On Wall Street, it’s sometimes possible to see a rainbow — and maybe even find a pot of gold — without having to suffer through a downpour first. Source: CNBC.com Date: Oct 31, 2017 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/31/stock-market-busts-through-sell-in-may-period.html Questions for discussion: What does the data say about the strength of the current bull market? What would… Read more »

‘House of Cards’ made Netflix a powerhouse. What now?

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Description: The fate of the Netflix hit show “House of Cards” is up in the air following the sexual abuse accusations lodged against Kevin Spacey, who stars as the manipulative Frank Underwood. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2017 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/01/investing/netflix-stock-house-of-cards-kevin-spacey/index.html Questions for discussion: What is the financial condition at Netflix at the… Read more »

David Rosenberg: Fifteen reasons why investors should love Japan

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Description: Things are starting to look up in the Land of the Rising Sun Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 02, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/david-rosenberg-fifteen-reasons-why-investors-should-love-japan Questions for discussion: Of the reasons listed, which three do you think have the most merit? Do you agree with his assessment and thinking?

World’s First AI-Run Global ETF Makes Its Own Managers Nervous

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Description: Horizons Active AI Global Equity ETF debuts in Toronto Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-01/world-s-first-ai-run-global-etf-makes-its-own-managers-nervous Questions for discussion: How does this decision-making technology work? Who do you think will buy this ETF? Do you think this is a real concern for managers and employment in the investment field?