Description: DAVID CAMERON, the British prime minister, was in Brussels meeting the press last October when he took a few moments to make fun of the British Broadcasting Corporation. “Good to see that costs are being controlled everywhere,†Mr. Cameron said as he directed a mocking glance at three BBC correspondents, each from a different… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
Google’s growth problem
Description: Google’s stock fell as earnings missed estimates and investors fear that new CEO Larry Page isn’t doing enough to keep up with Facebook. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/15/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/04/15/mkts_google_0415.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented for Google’s drop in price? How much do you think this is due to the… Read more »
LivingSocial Is Next Bet for Steve Case After Zipcar IPO Payoff
Description: America Online co-founder Steve Case, recasting himself as a venture capitalist, pledged to invest $200 million in fast-growing companies in 2005. With his bet on Zipcar Inc., he’s now made that cash back. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/16/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-16/livingsocial-is-next-bet-for-steve-case-after-zipcar-ipo-payoff.html Questions for discussion: Would you have followed the investment route taken by Steve Case? Is… Read more »
Expedia takes off
Description:  Shares of Expeida surge after the travel site says it will split into two companies, one for TripAdvisor and one for Expedia.com, hotels.com and hotwire. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/08/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/04/08/mkts_expedia_0408.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why did Expedia shares jump so dramatically? What does this say about the values of the separate… Read more »
The Megabus Effect
Description:Â After decades of decline, the bus is the U.S.’s fastest-growing way to travel, led by curbside service from Megabus, BoltBus, and others. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_16/b4224062391848.htm Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the current business models for transportation? What are the competitive advantages for this firm? Why… Read more »
Setback in Rosneft Deal Suggests BP Misread Russia
Description: For major oil companies these days, geopolitical acumen is as essential as deepwater engineering. Just ask the British oil giant BP. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/08/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/bp-rosneft-deal-faces-another-setback/?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about international deals and risks? How can businesses mitigate their risks?
Crunch time for RIM
Description: Jim Balsillie would like the world to think he has more than a few tricks left up his sleeve. Whether Research In Motion Ltd.’s co-chief executive does is the question analysts are struggling to answer. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: 03/26/2011 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2011/03/26/crunch-time-for-rim/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented for RIM and Apple. Why have… Read more »
Postal Service: 7,500 workers, $20,000 buyouts
Description: The Postal Service is offering a $20,000 buyout to thousands of veteran workers as part of its bid to eliminate 7,500 administrative jobs, the agency announced Thursday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/24/news/economy/postal_service/index.htm Questions for discussion:Â Â Summarize the financial situation at the Postal Service. How differently might a private enterprise respond in this situation?… Read more »
No Buyers for Barnes & Noble at 60 Cents on Dollar: Real M&A
Description: Even with Barnes & Noble Inc. selling for 60 cents on the dollar, the cheapest retailer in America still isn’t cheap enough to entice private-equity buyers looking for cash. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-25/no-buyers-for-barnes-noble-at-60-cents-on-dollar-real-m-a.html Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the financial viability of this business model? What… Read more »
Bruised investors face Libya, Japan news, U.S. data
Description: Investors are entering next week’s markets after five volatile days of trading, and they could encounter another bruising ride driven by fast-moving events in Japan, Libya and parts of the Middle East. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 03/18/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/uneasy-investors-face-libya-japan-news-us-data-2011-03-19 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the major influences of this week on investors and business financial managers…. Read more »
