Description: Analysts say wireless-device maker has few options; few see buyout as likely. Source: Marketwatch – video report  Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/palms-survival-at-stake-if-smartphones-dont-sell-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think investors have properly valued Palm in the past or presently? On what basis would you set a stock value for the firm? What valuation would you… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Buffett’s $50 million credit card blunder
Description: Peddling credit cards isn’t so easy that a caveman can do it. That seems to be the conclusion Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, Fortune 500) chief executive Warren Buffett reluctantly reached last year, when he shut down a money-losing credit card business he had dreamed up for Berkshire’s Geico car-insurance unit. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 02/27/2010… Read more »
A.I.G. Posts Loss of $11 Billion on Higher Claims
Description: The American International Group said on Friday that it lost about $11 billion last year, surprising analysts and showing the long-term risks inherent in the types of large, complex insurance coverage that the company once pioneered. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/26/2010 Link:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/27insure.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What is your view of this business model in… Read more »
Euro tarnished, but rivals lack shine
Description:Â Â The euro is damaged goods, laid low by a debt crisis that has revealed the shortcomings of European economic and monetary union, economists say. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-tarnished-but-rivals-dont-shine-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: How would you expect hedge fund managers to play the current situation? How should corporate financial planners dealing with exports or… Read more »
Four Winning Stocks With More Nice Gains to Come: John Dorfman
Description:Â Sanderson Farms Inc., Hasbro Inc., CF Industries Holdings Inc. and Ralcorp Holdings Inc. have moved up nicely this year. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/22/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ayPIAFcd7_hE Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessments and recommended investing strategies presented in this article? What other factors should be considered?
Fed Raises Discount Rate
Description: The Fed raised the rate it charges banks for emergency loans by a quarter percentage point. WSJ’s Justin Lahart breaks down what it means in an interview with Simon Constable. Source: Marketwatch – video report  Date: 02/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-fed-raises-discount-rate/62D44209-3F0C-458C-9BF9-6A58762E0ABD Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given in the report for a gradual increase… Read more »
A close look at the dollar’s power
Description: The dollar has come back against the euro recently but readers of ‘The Buzz’ still see a weak greenback in the future. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 02/17/2010  Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/17/n_bz_dollar_gold_oil_euro.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the assessment for the future value of the US dollar against other currencies and commodities. Do you agree… Read more »
Broker? Adviser? And What’s the Difference?
Description: THE Great Recession has intensified a long-running debate: who is better able to look out for your money, a broker or an independent adviser? Now that the shock of last year’s losses has worn off, many investors are reconsidering what their financial professionals did — or failed to do — for them. At the… Read more »
Sears agrees to sell Craftsman tools at Ace Hardware
Description:  Sears Holdings Corp. has agreed to sell its popular Craftsman tool brand through Ace Hardware stores, as the company turns again to outsiders to help grow its sales. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-agrees-to-sell-craftsman-tools-at-ace-hardware-2010-02-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think this strategy is sound for both firms? What alternative strategies are available to Sears and… Read more »
GM’s chief gets $9 million
Description: General Motors chairman and chief executive, Ed Whitacre, Jr. will receive a compensation package worth $9 million, the automaker said Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 02/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/19/news/companies/GM_salary/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you believe this compensation is appropriate in light of GM’s history and connection to TARP? Do you believe there can be negative reaction… Read more »
