Description: Dell Inc.’s proposed $3.9 billion buyout of Perot Systems Corp. reflects the second-largest personal-computer maker’s ambitions in the market for health- care information technology. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 9/22/2009 Keys: Mergers and acquisitions, marketing Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aQoF5RIBfpSY Questions for discussion: Explain why this deal makes sense for Dell. How might it affect its financial metrics –… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Study shows U.S. bank CEO pay dwarfs rest of world
Description: You wouldn’t know it by his pay stubs, but Jiang Jianqing heads the world’s largest bank. Jiang, chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, made just $234,700 in 2008. That’s less than 2 percent of the $19.6 million awarded to Jamie Dimon, chief executive of the world’s fourth-largest bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co…. Read more »
Why Yahoo finally made the deal
Description: CEO Carol Bartz explains why her company formed a partnership with Microsoft one year after their initial offer. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/16/2009 Keys: Mergers & acquisitions, strategic planning Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/09/16/f_mpw_bartz_microsoft.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership for both firms from a strategic planning point of… Read more »
Riding the bull a little longer
Description: The momentum that boosted the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq to nearly one-year highs looks to reassert itself in the week ahead. Fed meeting, housing reports, G-20 summit on tap. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 9/20/2009 Keys: Investing, stock market Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/18/markets/sunday_lookahead/index.htm?postversion=2009092008 Questions for discussion: Based on the report, do you believe the stock markets will… Read more »
Fat Profit Margins Are Road Map to Three Stocks: John Dorfman
Description: There are lots of ways to measure profitability. Many investors fixate on a company’s earnings growth, especially for one-year or five-year periods. I have nothing against that measure — well, wait a moment, I do. It is too sensitive to the starting point, making companies look unduly strong when they are coming off a… Read more »
Marchionne Managing Chrysler Means 5 Mobile Devices in Backpack
Description: To save Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne has to create a mid-size sedan that can compete with the world’s best. It’s a three- to five-year job, and he may have two years to do it. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 9/14/2009 Keys: Management, investing, marketing Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=awHymjXNOYdI Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategies… Read more »
Is the gold rush for real?
Description: Gold is over $1,000. Our editor at large debates with readers of ‘The Buzz’ whether it’s still a good investment. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/08/2009 Keys: Economy, stock market, investing Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/08/n_buzz_gold_1000_investment.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons offered for gold price changes? What do you think will happen to the… Read more »
GM ends pay cuts for salaried workers
Description: Automaker restores white-collar staff’s paychecks after temporary reductions made four months ago. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 9/11/2009 Keys: Cash flow, budgeting Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/11/news/companies/gm_ends_pay_cuts.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009091111 Questions for discussion: Why is this news significant for GM? Explain your answer. What does this suggest about operations and cash flow? Explain your answer.
Cadbury Chairman Rejects ‘Low-Growth’ Kraft’s Offer
Description: — Cadbury Plc, the world’s second- biggest confectionery company, said an unsolicited takeover offer from Kraft Foods Inc. is an “unappealing prospect†due to its rival’s business model and “lower growth†prospects. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 9/12/2009 Keys: Mergers and acquisitions, stock market Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a1pWbUXjfhaU Questions for discussion: Comment on the valuation offered by Kraft?… Read more »
Motorola shares jump on hopes for Google phone
Description: Motorola Inc shares rose 6.5 percent on Friday on hopes the company could turn around its loss-making handset business with the new cellphone it developed with Google Inc. Source: Reuters.com Date: 9/11/2009 Keys: Marketing, stock market, finance, technology Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5884AQ20090911 Questions for discussion: Do you think Cliq will find a share of the smart… Read more »
