Cyber Monday goes mobile

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Description: Online shopping deals can be had even before Cyber Monday and savvy shoppers can get them from their phones. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/11/23/n-cyber-monday-mobile.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the financial implications for the changes in shopping behavior due to online options? How might these affect cash flows,… Read more »

How HPs Disastrous Deal Blows a Hole in Consulting

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Description: HP lost $8.8 billion on acquisition gone bad. Are high-priced consultants and accountants like KPMG and Deloitte to blame? Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 21, 2012 Link:  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/21/how-hp-s-disastrous-deal-blows-a-hole-in-consulting.html Questions for Discussions: Who is at fault for this situation? What does this report say about the value of consultants and their effort at due diligence? What… Read more »

More bad news for PC makers

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Description: Dell’s latest results were awful, sending shares of the struggling stock even lower. A similar fate likely awaits Hewlett-Packard next week. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/16/investing-hp-dell.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the reasons for stock market declines of Dell and HP? What could turn these stock values around? Would… Read more »

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos: The ultimate disrupter

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Description:  He’s a pro-customer, tightfisted risk-taker who is conditioning Wall Street to embrace his erratic earnings. If you’re running a business with high margins — watch out. Source: Fortune.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:  http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/16/jeff-bezos-amazon/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about Jeff Bezos’ management thinking and style? Why has Amazon succeeded? Where… Read more »

Twinkie Maker Hostess to Close

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Description:  Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats such as Twinkies and traditional pantry staple Wonder Bread, said Friday it is shuttering its plants and firing about 18,000 workers as it seeks to liquidate the 82-year-old business. Source:  WSJ.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578122632560842670.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the demise… Read more »

BlackBerry beats Apple! Really.

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Description: Apple shares have plunged more than 20% from their peak. During the same time, RIMM has soared 20%. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 08, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/08/investing-apple-research-in-motion.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the recent stock movements of RIM and Apple. What is the argument for owning either stock? Where do you see these… Read more »

Zillow’s bubble may have burst

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Description: Online real estate site Zillow’s forecast is weaker than expected, but that’s not a bad sign for the housing recovery. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 06, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/06/investing-zillow.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why did this stock drop in price so dramatically, according to the reporter? What lessons are there for other momentum… Read more »

Thousands of banks may disappear

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description:  Wall Streeters say Obama’s second term will be the death knell for small banks. Source: Fortune.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/09/banks-disappear-obama/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: What is the basis for this prediction? Do you agree with the sentiment? Would the consequences be good or bad? How should investors react?

Google Ventures ups fund to $300m a year

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Description: Google Ventures announced in a tweet yesterday it has increased its fund by 50 percent to $300 million a year and plans to invest $1.5 billion in startups through 2017. Source: Smartplanet.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link:  http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/google-ventures-ups-fund-to-300m-a-year/5174?tag=header;header-sec Questions for Discussions: Explain the rationale for Google’s Venture fund? What primary benefit can Google receive… Read more »

How Sprint is outperforming Apple

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Description: CEO Dan Hesse’s turnaround of Sprint has the wireless carrier’s stock outperforming Apple’s. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/magazines/fortune/2012/11/02/ldrshp-sprint-1.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: Why has Sprint stock done so well over the past year? How has the deal with Apple changed cash flow? Would you be an investor in Sprint… Read more »