Description:Â Â Â Â Author and economist Ben Stein tells Mean Street host Evan Newmark the Occupy Wall Street protesters still do not appear to have a mission and “are not doing anything useful.” He offers them advice to advance their cause. AP Photo. Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the commentary presented by Ben Stein?
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Why housing deserves a home in your portfolio
Description: Investment moves for those who think now is a time to buy Source:Â Marketwatch.com Date: 11/04/2011 Link:Â Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-housing-deserves-a-home-in-your-portfolio-2011-11-04 Questions for discussion: Do you believe it is a good time for investors to buy stocks of companies connected to the construction industry? Do you think it is a good time for individuals to buy residential… Read more »
Could Shale Gas Reignite the U.S. Economy?
Description: Unlocking vast reserves of shale gas could solve the energy crisis, the jobs crisis, and the deficit. Now, about fracking’s safety … Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/03/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/could-shale-gas-reignite-the-us-economy-11032011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points in this report? What are the economic forces at play favoring development of shale gas? What are the forces… Read more »
Apple Doles Out $60M Stock Grants to Execs
Description: Apple Inc. (AAPL), seeking to retain its management team in the wake of former Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs’s death last month, gave $60 million restricted-stock grants to most of its senior vice presidents. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 11/04/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-04/apple-doles-out-stock-grants-to-several-of-its-top-executives.html Questions for discussion: Do you believe this is a wise financial planning decision at… Read more »
China’s vanishing factory bosses
Description: No one believed more fervently in China’s economic miracle than the residents of this pretty coastal city, which produces shoes, eyeglasses and cigarette lighters sold around the world. The good times of the past decade made many in Wenzhou rich, and residents repeatedly doubled their bets, pouring their earnings and more into stock markets… Read more »
Fred Hickey: Betting on Nokia
Description:    Fred Hickey, editor of The High-Tech Strategist, says (at Barron’s 2011 Art of Successful Investing conference) that Nokia’s smartphones based on the Windows operating system could be a big hit with consumers and help revive Nokia shares. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/29/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/fred-hickey-betting-on-nokia/456219F3-BA45-4C50-8554-60670E7F0EF7 Questions for discussion: Summarize the industry analysis presented… Read more »
Good Luck, Groupon: Tough IPO Market
Description: The world’s IPO market is officially on the skids right now, according to a new report from Thomson Reuters. What does it mean for companies like Groupon and Zynga? Scott Austin discusses on Digits. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/28/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/good-luck-groupon-tough-ipo-market/E65A3FF6-881A-48D5-95EB-3C6F0E82835A Questions for discussion: Why has the IPO market been so weak… Read more »
Cross-border pipeline may change oil’s landscape
Description: A proposed pipeline stretching from Canada to the United States may contribute to a rise in the nation’s prices for oil, and has the potential to significantly change the landscape of the market. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 10/28/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cross-border-pipeline-may-change-oils-landscape-2011-10-28 Questions for discussion: Summarize the main points presented in this report. Do you agree with… Read more »
Alaska’s Billion Dollar Mountain
Description: The story of one man who used a little persuasion—and a lot of luck—to win the rights to millions of tons of rare earths Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/27/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/alaskas-billion-dollar-mountain-10272011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points in this report? What did you learn about the industry from an “on the ground†point of… Read more »
Avon’s Jung Under Scrutiny as SEC Starts Second Investigation
Description: With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission probing Avon Products Inc. (AVP)’s dealings with analysts, Andrea Jung may be facing the toughest challenge of her 12-year tenure as chief executive officer. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/28/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-28/avon-s-jung-under-scrutiny-as-sec-starts-second-investigation.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems facing the firm? How have investors reacted to the investigations? How… Read more »
