Description:  There’s plenty of hype surrounding web services like Pandora, LinkedIn, and now Zillow. But can their business plans keep investors coming? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/21/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/07/20/mkts_bh_zillow.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the commentary made for each of these stocks. Would you advise investors to buy, sell or hold any of them?
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
News Hub: Dow Steamrolled by Caterpillar
Description: Blue chips slipped, but finished with a strong weekly advance, as investors weighed Caterpillar’s disappointing results against a new agreement on a Greek financing plan. Laura Mandaro has details. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/22/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub–dow-steamrolled-by-caterpillar/D5F42C53-7D15-422C-AE7C-C14485D2E16E Questions for discussion: Summarize the significance of Caterpillar’s results and stock movement. What does the continuing… Read more »
Nokia to Cut Costs More After Loss
Description: The two largest European makers of telecommunications equipment, Nokia and Ericsson, announced plans Thursday to continue or accelerate cost-cutting efforts in the face of rising competition, internal reorganizations and weak demand in North America. Source:Â NYTimes.com Date: 07/21/2011 Link:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/technology/nokia-and-ericsson-announce-cost-cutting.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How can management mitigate the stress on cash flow during this… Read more »
EBay Profit Drops After Acquisition Costs Eat Into Earnings
Description: After making at least nine acquisitions in the past year, EBay reported a drop in second-quarter net income and forecast modestly reduced earnings for the third quarter Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/21/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ebay-profit-drops-after-acquisition-costs-eat-into-earnings-07212011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What are the implications for the firm? How should… Read more »
Time to buy News Corp.?
Description: If all strategic options are on the table for Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, there may be good money to be made on its shares. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 07/21/2011 Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/21/time-to-buy-news-corp/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the article. Would you buy the shares of News Corp. today?
Markets Hub: Icahn Makes Surprise Bid for Clorox
Description: Carl Icahn made a surprise bid for Clorox, and suggested the company shop itself around as well. It’s a classic Icahn move, Deal Journal’s Shira Ovide reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/15/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/markets-hub-icahn-makes-surprise-bid-for-clorox/9A0BE37C-095E-450E-A934-D47600F669C4 Questions for discussion: What is the “classic Icahn moveâ€? What do you think he is trying to achieve?… Read more »
Murdoch’s Mess
Description: News Corp.’s British newspapers have put the future of Rupert Murdoch’s empire in question Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/14/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/murdochs-mess-07142011.html?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What are the ethical issues here? How should investors play this situation? How should government respond to this situation?
Is Tiger Woods running out of money?
Description: With only a few endorsement deals left, a recent divorce settlement, a hefty house mortgage, and even a pay cut from Nike, Tiger Woods’ lifestyle is looking a lot less glamorous. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 07/015/2011 Link: http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/15/is-tiger-woods-running-out-of-money/ Questions for discussion: Describe the “Tiger Woods†business model. Is the title of this article misleading,… Read more »
The Boom and Crash Cycle of I.P.O.’s
Description: THE global market for initial public offerings of stock, which was hot in late 2010, has cooled. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 07/08/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/the-boom-and-crash-cycle-of-ipos.html?ref=business Questions for discussion:Â Do you agree with the analysis presented? What would kick-start activity again? Do you believe these conditions will return shortly?
BlackBerry maker’s struggles
Description: Shares of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion are down 50% from the start of the year, largely due to disappointing smartphone and tablet sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the demise of company’s share value. Given that the product sells well outside of North America, what… Read more »
