Watch out for the ‘angry U.S. consumer’ as Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens America’s fight against inflation

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Description: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday had U.S. investors focused on the cost of food and energy in America, and the likely implications for financial markets. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 25, 2022 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/watch-out-for-the-angry-u-s-consumer-as-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-threatens-americas-fight-against-inflation-11645754908?siteid=yhoof2 Questions for discussion: How has the conflict affected inflationary pressures? How is the Fed likely to respond to these conditions?… Read more »

Why megacap stocks rallied after Russia invaded Ukraine

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Description: As Russia launches a war against Ukraine, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) — down more than 3% at Thursday’s open — mounted a furious comeback, with megacap stocks Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG) doing much of the heavy lifting. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com Date: Feb 24, 2022 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-megacap-stocks-rallied-after-russia-invaded-ukraine-214142370.html Questions for discussion: Why did these stocks rally after… Read more »

Warren Buffett in annual letter calls Apple one of ‘Four Giants’ driving the conglomerate’s value

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Description: Warren Buffett said he now considers tech giant Apple as one of the four pillars driving Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate of mostly old-economy businesses he’s assembled over the last five decades. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 26, 2022 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/26/warren-buffett-in-annual-letter-calls-apple-one-of-four-giants-driving-the-conglomerates-value.html Questions for discussion: Why is Warren Buffett so invested in Apple? Why is the buyback good for investors? Do… Read more »

Feds seek to fast-track LNG project amid Ukraine attack: Pieridae CEO

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Description: The head of Calgary-based natural gas producer Pieridae Energy Ltd. said he’s fielding inquiries from the federal government over how the company’s proposed Goldboro liquefied natural gas (LNG) project could be completed quicker than anticipated. Source: BNNBloomberg.ca – video report Date: Feb 25, 2022 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/feds-seek-to-fast-track-lng-project-amid-ukraine-attack-pieridae-ceo-1.1728976 Questions for discussion: What caused the project to… Read more »

What the blockbuster Microsoft and Sony deals mean for the future of gaming

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Description: Big moves are happening in the video game industry. Microsoft, the tech giant behind the Xbox console, announced plans in early 2022 to buy Activision Blizzard, the force behind “Call of Duty” and “World of Warcraft,” among other major titles. This $68.7 billion all-cash acquisition is expected to close in 2023. If approved by regulators… Read more »

Etsy CEO talks earnings, raising seller fees, and advertising to men

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Description: Etsy CEO Josh Silverman joins Yahoo Finance Live to discuss the company’s earnings, its reinvestment in the platform, raising fees, and attracting male users with NFL ads. Source: Yahoo.finance.com – video report Date: Feb 25, 2022 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/video/etsy-ceo-talks-earnings-raising-155135053.html?contentType=VIDEO Questions for discussion: Why did Etsy’s stock value shoot up? Why did it fall so dramatically… Read more »

Stock market faces the most ‘massive misallocation’ of ‘capital in the history of mankind,’ says ARK’s Cathie Wood

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Description: Cathie Wood, the star fund manager and chief executive of ARK Invest, took to CNBC to defend the woeful performance of the manager’s suite of disruptive innovation funds. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 18, 2022 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stock-market-faces-the-most-massive-misallocation-of-capital-in-the-history-of-mankind-says-arks-cathie-wood-11645123885?siteid=yhoof2 Questions for discussion: What does Cathie Wood say is happening in markets? What is her advice to investors?… Read more »

Minutes show Fed ready to raise rates, shrink balance sheet soon

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Description: Federal Reserve officials set plans into motion at their most recent meeting to begin raising interest rates and shed the trillions of dollars in bonds on the central bank balance sheet, according to minutes released Wednesday. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 16, 2022 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/16/federal-reserve-releases-minutes-from-its-january-meeting.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail Questions for discussion: What are the indications… Read more »

Oil’s spectacular COVID crash set the world up for US$100 crude

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Description: The two-year COVID crisis put many markets on a wild ride—just look at U.S. treasuries—but few have had a crazier time than crude oil: from total collapse in 2020 to the brink of US$100 a barrel today. Source: BNNBloomberg.ca – video report Date: Feb 17, 2022 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/oil-s-spectacular-covid-crash-set-the-world-up-for-us-100-crude-1.1724555 Questions for discussion: Summarize the key… Read more »

Shopify shares plummet on slower growth outlook

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Description: Shopify Inc. is bracing for a year in which the COVID e-commerce boom that propelled tech companies to record growth levels begins to wane. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 16, 2022 Link: https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/shopifys-revenue-grows-41-beating-expectations Questions for discussion: What caused the stock price to slide? What is the company doing to meet the challenges? What do you… Read more »