Description: BP is considering reducing its dividends to help quell political uproar against the company. Meanwhile, the U.S. raised estimates of the oil gushing from the crippled Gulf of Mexico well. Monica Langley, Dennis Berman, Evan Newmark and Bruce Orwall discuss. Also, a discussion of Saturday’s World Cup soccer match between England and the U.S…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
BP’s Gulf Coast oil spill – a legal primer
Description: To help readers navigate the legal landscape surrounding BP’s mammoth oil spill (or “oil spew,” as some argue it should more properly be called) in the Gulf Coast, I have looked into some of the law-related questions and statements that keep surfacing as the press and bloggers keep up with the crisis. I rely… Read more »
Toys ‘R’ Us files $800 million IPO
Description: Toys “R” Us is seeking to raise $800 million in stock through an initial public offering, hoping to clear some debt from its balance sheet, the company said in a securities filing Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 05/28/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/28/news/companies/toys_r_us_IPO/index.htm  Questions for discussion: How does this IPO help the firm? What are the advantages… Read more »
Dell profit jumps on strong sales to businesses
Description: Dell Inc. said Thursday that strong demand from business customers helped drive the PC maker’s profit up 52% in its most recent quarter. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 05/20/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/20/technology/Dell/index.htm  Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about Dell’s future stock value? How can Dell improve growth prospects? Explain why margins are so… Read more »
Why Cisco is so bullish
Description: Cisco CEO John Chambers says the most recent quarter was its “best ever,” citing growth in video, routers and collaborative technology. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 05/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/05/13/n_cisco_chambers_quarter.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons to be optimistic about the global economy? Why do you suppose Cisco is considered a bellwether stock?… Read more »
IBM to Spend $20 Billion on Takeovers Through 2015
Description: International Business Machines Corp. Chief Executive Officer Sam Palmisano, seeking to boost earnings by focusing on software and services, said he plans to spend $20 billion on acquisitions in the next five years. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 05/12/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRqLcBIcjkcE Questions for discussion: What is the significance of IBM’s announcement? Why are acquisitions an… Read more »
Berkshire Says Burlington Northern, NetJets Helped Boost Profit
Description: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which reported a $3.6 billion first-quarter profit last week, said gains at private flight company NetJets Inc. and railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe bolstered results. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 05/08/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aPL.hvjH5srY Questions for discussion: Do you believe that the financial results for Berkshire are indicative of general economic… Read more »
Buffett’s stance on derivatives
Description: Fortune’s Andy Serwer talks about how the Senate’s proposed financial reforms will affect Berkshire Hathaway’s derivatives holdings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/04/29/f_sl_buffett_derivatives_berkshire.fortune/  Questions for discussion: How much influence do you think Buffett can have in the current debate about derivatives? Would Buffett joining the management of Goldman be a… Read more »
H-P grabbing Palm could shake up PC alliances
Description: Hewlett-Packard’s bid to gobble up Palm Inc. could shake up alliances in the personal computer industry, as other players in the sector figure out their play in a rapidly-changing smartphone arena, analysts say. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/h-ps-palm-merger-seen-shaking-up-pc-alliances-2010-04-29?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis presented? Is this a good… Read more »
UAL, Continental reportedly set to announce deal Monday
Description: United Airlines and Continental Airlines are reportedly on track to announce a multibillion-dollar merger deal on Monday that would create the world’s biggest airline. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ual-continental-reportedly-close-in-on-deal-2010-04-29?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Is this a good deal for stockholders of each firm? From a financial management point of view, what will the… Read more »
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
