Description: (MarketWatch) — As we expected, Zynga has so far not been a stock you wanted to buy on its first trading day, not if you were hoping to make a quick buck. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/zynga-in-same-boat-as-other-2011-tech-ipos-2011-12-30?dist=beforebell Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights that explain the stock price movements in this report. Do… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
10 worst business predictions of 2011
Description: From a muni meltdown to a recovery in bank stocks to a Yahoo turnaround, we were told a bunch of things would happen this year that didn’t even come close. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1112/gallery.worst-predictions-2011.fortune/index.html Questions for discussion: Which prediction seems particularly weak, given 20-20 hindsight today? What does this report suggest… Read more »
BofA’s ‘Three-Ring Circus’ Posts Worst Showing in Dow Average
Description: Bank of America Corp. is on track to be this year’s worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average as concern about mounting mortgage losses and a global economic slowdown weighed on the second-biggest U.S. lender. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-30/bofa-s-three-ring-circus-posts-worst-showing-in-dow-average.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Is… Read more »
Google Backing Israel Entrepreneurs Amid Funding Gap
Description: The Google Inc. (GOOG) executive with his bright yellow vest was impossible to miss in the middle of the Israeli startup owners seeking cash in a rusty boathouse at Tel Aviv’s Jaffa port. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 12/29/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-29/google-backs-israeli-startups-as-local-financing-hits-12-year-low-tech.html Questions for discussion: Describe the way in which venture capital investors find Israeli start-ups. What… Read more »
Sachs: How Reaganomics toppled the U.S.
Description: Economist Jeffrey Sachs says the policies of the Reagan administration led to the destruction of the American middle class. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/23/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/22/n_opinion_jeff_sachs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Jeffrey Sachs favoring greater government involvement in the economy. What are the items you agree with and those… Read more »
Apple at the retail crossroads
Description:Â People love to speculate on the future of Apple Inc. I am no exception. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 12/23/2011 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-at-the-retail-crossroads-2011-12-23 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with this assessment? What would you advise investors do today?
Oracle Sales, Profit Miss Estimates
Description: Oracle Corp. (ORCL) dropped the most in more than nine years, dragging down other software makers, after it reported quarterly sales and profit that missed analysts’estimates in a sign companies are spending less on programs that help them manage operations. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 12/21/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/oracle-misses-estimates-as-clients-throttle-tech-spending-shares-decline.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this… Read more »
The super rich just don’t get it
Description:Â Wealthy financiers are trying to turn the Occupy movement into a rich vs. poor debate. What they still don’t understand is that Americans don’t hate the rich. They hate the rich in finance. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/23/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/22/jamie-dimon-rich/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions and ethical issues expressed in this report? What is… Read more »
Finance on the Ropes
Description:Â For Wall Street, it’s been a series of unfortunate events Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/22/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/finance-on-the-ropes-12222011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. What is your opinion of this thinking?
What would make Caterpillar add jobs
Description: Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman explains what the company needs to hire in the near and long-term. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/13/n_cat_ceo_adding_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the challenges facing the firm? How do these issues relate to your understanding of the state of the economy? What should companies, governments and… Read more »
