Description: JPMorgan Chase showed it was close to making a full recovery from last year’s crisis after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly profits of $3.3 billion Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/15/news/companies/JPMorgan_Chase_earnings/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What does the recovery by JPMorgan suggest about the financial future other financial institutions and stock… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Ackman Buys 2% Kraft Stake, Urges Cash for Cadbury
Description: Billionaire investor William Ackman bought a $950 million stake in Kraft Foods Inc. and urged its Chief Executive Officer Irene Rosenfeld to limit the amount of stock she uses to bid for Cadbury Plc. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/16/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSMnsSKPDuMk Questions for discussion: Do you think Ackman’s decision is a smart move? Do you… Read more »
MGM bid deadline passes, most bids yet to come
Description: First-round bids for the debt-ridden MGM studio were due Friday afternoon, but most of the bids are expected to trickle in through the weekend, sources familiar with the matter said. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1517371220100116 Questions for discussion:Â Which of the possible bidders would enjoy the greatest degree of synergy with MGM? Given… Read more »
Bove: ‘2010 a great year for banks’
 Description: Banking analyst Dick Bove thinks that this year will be a boon for battered banks. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/01/04/mkts_dick_bove_2010.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis and predictions presented by Dick Bove? Explain your thinking. Would you be a buyer or seller of the banks? Explain… Read more »
Kraft’s cheesy math
Description: In the strange but true department, a recent securities filing by Kraft Foods seems to stretch the value stock investors are willing to place on the company. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/08/2010 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/08/news/companies/kraft.proxy.fortune/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think there is anything inappropriate going on in this situation? Explain your thinking. Do you think… Read more »
Former AIG chief takes shot at Goldman Sachs: report
Description:Â The former head of American International Group Inc is urging a closer look at the actions of Goldman Sachs Group Inc, claiming the investment bank contributed to the insurer’s near-collapse, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/09/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6081IB20100109 Questions for discussion: What is your view of this exchange between… Read more »
U.S. Stocks Rise Most in Two Months as Factory Orders Increase
Description: U.S. stocks advanced, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to the biggest weekly gain in two months, as the nation’s manufacturing increased more than forecast and metal and oil prices surged. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/09/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a.YfWoX7if4E Questions for discussion: What does the article suggest is an important indicator of stock market performance?… Read more »
London’s Investment Banks Double Pay to Lure Back City Talent
Description: London’s investment banks are luring back traders and analysts they lost to brokerage firms during the credit crisis, compensating for lower bonuses by as much as doubling base salaries. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/08/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aCYBE_nDS.Ys Questions for discussion: What does the article suggest to you about the financial services industry’s dealings with compensation? Do… Read more »
High-speed computerized trading
Description: High frequency trading offers opportunities by the millisecond and a bundle of regulatory issues. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 12/30/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2009/12/30/mkts_high_frequency_trading.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the primary reasons for the fast growth in market share for this software? Do you believe that this sort of software presents any special problems… Read more »
Companies Google should buy in 2010
Description: Google CEO Eric Schmidt said in September that the search leader will buy up to one company a month in 2010. Here’s a look at some of the leading contenders. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/02/2010 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/technology/0912/gallery.google_acquisitions/index.html Questions for discussion: Do you agree or disagree with the assessments made favouring these acquisitions? Explain your thinking…. Read more »
