Description: Speculative-grade debt has topped stocks over the past four years Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/01/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/junk-bonds-are-on-a-roll-12012011.html Questions for discussion: Why have “junk-bonds†performed so well? What does this suggest about the stock and bond markets?
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Yahoo’s big decision should be easy
Description: Yahoo may have a chance to sell its entire business, rather than just a piece. It should accept. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/01/2011 Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/02/yahoos-decision-total-or-partial-takeover/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented about various possible scenarios for Yahoo. What would your advice be to the firm’s directors?
UPDATE 3-Zynga IPO values company as high as $9.04 billion
Description:Â Zynga Inc, which plans to go public in two weeks, on Friday slashed its value by more than 30 percent to $9 billion, hoping to avoid the fate of other recent Internet IPOs that have disappointed after stock market debuts. Source:Â Reuters.com Date: 12/03/2011 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/02/zynga-idUSN1E7B107X20111202 Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented… Read more »
RIM finds new ways to disappoint investors
Description:Â Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM-T17.08-1.73-9.20%) took a hit of nearly half-a-billion dollars on its PlayBook tablet, but it was troubling news about sales of its BlackBerry smartphones that stoked fresh worries from investors about the tech giant. Source:Â GlobeandMail.com Date: 12/02/2011 Link:Â http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rim-finds-new-ways-to-disappoint-investors/article2257745/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. Would you… Read more »
Options Dwindle for Euro Zone
Description: European Central Bank is considering a dramatic extension of its longest loans to commercial banks, to stave off a potential collapse of the bloc’s banking system, Steven Fidler reports on Markets Hub. Photo: AFP /Getty Images. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented in this report. Do you agree… Read more »
Should Europe pool its debt?
Description: CNN’s Nina Dos Santos explores one proposed solution to Europe’s economic crisis, pooling the European Union’s $8.6 trillion in debt. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/23/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/11/23/n_euro_bonds_explained.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain what has happened to European bond rates? Why would pooling the market make sense? Do you believe this strategy is appropriate… Read more »
4 tips for trading stocks in a volatile market
Description: How to avoid crowds and carve a niche to create success Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/4-tips-for-trading-stocks-in-a-volatile-market-2011-11-25 Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategies presented in the report. Do you agree with these suggestions? How influential is the “fear index†on investing decisions?
Can the Jobs-and-Income Crisis End Well?
Description:Â Some economists believe that today’s grinding unemployment and slow growth are masking the transition to a vibrant digital economy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/finance/can-the-jobsandincome-crisis-end-well-11252011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments about the current economic malaise. What is your view of the situation and how do you think things will develop over the next… Read more »
Pricing the future: How we value derivatives
Description:Â Our Weekly Read column features Fortune staffers’ and contributors’ takes on recently published books about the business world and beyond. We’ve invited the entire Fortune family — from our writers and editors to our photo editors and designers — to weigh in on books of their choosing based on their individual tastes or curiosities…. Read more »
Will There Be A Santa Claus Rally?
Description: LPL Financial’s chief market strategist, Jeffrey Kleintop gives an outlook and an investing strategy for the end of the year, including whether he expects a Santa Claus rally. Photo: Reuters. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 11/18/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/will-there-be-a-santa-claus-rally/9119F9FC-8085-499B-9754-DC0AEFD95162 Questions for discussion: Do you think there will be a Santa Claus rally? Summarize the… Read more »
