Description: Anurag Chadha had one thing to say after flight disruptions at billionaire Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. (KAIR) curtailed his holiday plans. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/09/2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-09/kingfisher-air-passenger-says-never-again-as-cash-crunch-disrupts-flights.html Questions for discussion: What are the reasons for this firm’s cash flow problems? What are the consequences? How typical is this scenario for other firms dependent… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
Green Mountain falls as Starbucks takes on Keurig
Description:Â Â Shares in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc (GMCR.O) tumbled 14 percent on Friday, on fears that it may lose its near monopoly in the U.S. single-cup coffee market after partner Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) outlined plans to launch a rival coffee and espresso machine. Source:Â Reuters.com Date: 03/09/2012 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-greenmountaincoffeeroasters-shares-idUSBRE8280MF20120309 Questions for discussion: Why have… Read more »
Raining on Facebook’s IPO
Description: Fortune’s Allan Sloan says Facebook’s IPO is full of the same hypocrisy, hype and arrogance found in most Wall Street offerings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/16/t_sloan_facebook_ipo.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented by Allan Sloan. Do you agree with his views?
Copper Traders Most Bullish in Two Months as Hedge Funds Buy: Commodities
Description: Copper traders are the most bullish in two months on speculation that demand will strengthen from the U.S. to China at a time when stockpiles monitored by the world’s biggest metals exchange are at a 2 1/2 year low. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/24/2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/copper-traders-most-bullish-in-two-months-as-hedge-funds-buy-commodities.html Questions for discussion: Explain the price movements in commodities… Read more »
Ask an Expert: ‘Shark Tank’ shows entrepreneurs how to swim
Description: Q: Lately I have been watching the TV show “Shark Tank” and really like it. What always amazes me is that the people whose products I don’t like often get money and those that I do like get nothing. Why is that? — Jaime Source: USAToday.com Date: 02/20/2012 Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/strauss/story/2012-02-19/shark-tank-small-business-steve-strauss/53138174/1 Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »
For Small Theaters, the Digital Future Is Dark
Description:Â Independent movie houses scramble to pay for expensive new gear Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/17/2012 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/for-small-theaters-the-digital-future-is-dark-02162012.html Questions for discussion: Explain the problems and solutions being presented for these small businesses. Do you think they will be successful? Are there alternative financial strategies?
Why oil prices keep on climbing
Description: Oil prices spike to its highest level in nine months, following Iran’s announcement to halt oil exports to Britain and France. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/20/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/20/n_iran_oil_gas_prices.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why have oil prices risen? What is the impact of this change on the economy?
Soros: Deregulation led to collapse
Description: Billionaire George Soros says deregulation of the private sector allowed the financial system to grow like a cancer until it collapsed. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/13/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/13/n_soros_obama_regulations.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented by George Soros. Do you agree with his opinions?
A wonderland of chocolate
Description: Koppers Chocolate factory is the oldest and largest factory left in New York City. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report. Date: 02/14/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2012/02/13/sbiz_koppers_chocolate.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Describe the business model for this company. Why do you think it has remained relatively small when compared to bigger competitors? What financial planning advantages are there to… Read more »
Why Toxic Debt Looks a Lot Less Toxic
Description:Â Goldman Sachs and hedge funds are buying risky mortgages again Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/16/2012 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/why-toxic-debt-looks-a-lot-less-toxic-02162012.html Questions for discussion: What has changed? Do you agree with this assessment?
