Description: When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
The Business Of Lin
Description: From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report. Do you think this phenomenon can last? What strategic plans… Read more »
Loans based on your eBay and Amazon sales
Description: Online lender Kabbage offers advances to small business owners based on their success as online merchants. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/16/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/16/t-ts-kabbage-lending.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons this sort of financial lending arrangement works for both sides? Is the risk any greater for Kabbage than for conventional bank lending? What… Read more »
Green Mountain Coffee’s new Vue
Description:Â Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has unveiled a new brewing system to build on the popularity of its K-cup line, which may face competition after two key patents expire in September. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 02/16/2012 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/15/markets/green_mountain_coffee/index.htm Questions for discussion: How does the firm generate revenue? Is this business model sound? What risks are there… Read more »
Apple’s Stock May Not Be as Cheap as It Looks: Weil
Description:  Throughout the extraordinary surge in Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s share price, a persistent question has lingered: Why is the stock still so cheap? One overlooked answer may be that Apple’s accounting isn’t as conservative as it used to be. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/16/2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-17/apple-s-stock-may-not-be-as-cheap-as-it-looks-jonathan-weil.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the report. Do you… Read more »
Jay Bryan: Investing risk hides where you least expect
Description: Bonds riskier than stocks? Surely that’s crazy talk. It turns upside-down what seems to be a fundamental rule of investing. Source: MontrealGazette.com Date: 02/11/2012 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Bryan+Investing+risk+hides+where+least+expect/6147612/story.html#ixzz1meczIACn Questions for discussion: What are the key points made in this report? Do you agree with the assessments presented?
LinkedIn is the anti-Groupon
Description:  Social media sites are not all created equal. LinkedIn’s profits topped estimates while Groupon posted a shocking loss. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/10/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/02/10/mkts_buzz_groupon_linkedin.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Compare the business models for these firms in terms of revenue streams. Which represents the greater risk as a stock investment? Are either overvalued?
Auto Makers Target Indonesia for Expansion
Description: Indonesia is being embraced as a major expansion market for car manufacturers, but will the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks hinder their progress? WSJ’s Deborah Kan discusses with Eric Bellman. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 02/10/2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/auto-makers-target-indonesia-for-expansion/9A237207-68FA-4E09-B687-3D0E83588FE6 Questions for discussion: Describe the connection between corporate investing and government investing in infrastructure? What are the… Read more »
Diamond Foods Debacle May Crack Open a MAC
Description:Â A rare event occurred late on Wednesday in the deal world. Diamond Foods, the seller of Emerald snack nuts, announced it would restate its financial results for two years. It also placed its chief executive, Michael J. Mendes, and its chief financial officer, Steven M. Neil, on administrative leave. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/09/2012 Link:Â … Read more »
McDonald’s shows healthy sales growth in U.S. and abroad
Description: McDonald’s (MCD) said Wednesday that a key revenue figure climbed 6.7% in January as U.S. customers spent more on breakfast, beverages and its new Chicken McBites. Source: USAToday.com Date: 02/08/2012 Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-02-08/mcdonalds-january-sales/53007014/1 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the report. Do you think McDonald’s strategy for growth will be attractive to investors?
