Description: Mark Hulbert discusses why September is typically a bad month for stocks, and why this month will likely follow the pattern. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 09/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-september-a-cruel-month-for-stocks/1608C6F4-D494-4DF2-948C-8CBE0607D15D Questions for discussion: Why should investors be concerned with the historical record of September market results? From an investor’s point of view, what… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
United-Continental Merger Clears Federal Hurdle
Description: The Justice Department said late Friday that it had cleared the planned $3 billion merger between United Airlines and Continental, lifting the biggest regulatory hurdle to the creation of the world’s top airline. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/28air.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you believe that the stocks and bonds of this new airline will… Read more »
BHP Billiton will take bid directly to Potash shareholders
Description: Mining giant BHP Billiton went on the attack Wednesday, saying it will take its nearly $39 billion takeover bid for Potash Corp. straight to shareholders after the fertilizer firm’s board spurned the offer as grossly inadequate. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bhp-billiton-takes-bid-to-potash-shareholders-2010-08-18?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the arguments favoring the acquisition of… Read more »
The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts
Description: The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with… Read more »
News Hub: Yellow Flags Ahead for Investors
Description: Brett Arends tells Simon Constable and Michael Casey a few of his ten reasons why investors should becautious ahead. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-yellow-flags-ahead-for-investors/3E054F1A-9AAE-4733-B2A4-59E18B0DEEC9 Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns expressed in this report. Do you agree with the primary points – especially those related to deflation? What investing… Read more »
Cisco Systems’ profit jumps 79%
Description: Shares tumble in late trading after revenue comes in lighter than estimates Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 08/10/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cisco-profit-jumps-shares-fall-on-revenue-miss-2010-08-11?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: From a fundamental analysis point of view, explain the drop in share value. From a technical analysis point of view, explain the drop in share value. Do you think Cisco is a… Read more »
M&A Losers in $10 Trillion Deal Binge Led by McClatchy, Sprint
Description: More than half of the 100 biggest takeovers made during the last mergers-and-acquisitions boom have something in common: By one measure, they never should have happened. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://bx.businessweek.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2010-08-13%2Fm-a-losers-in-10-trillion-takeover-binge-led-by-mcclatchy-sprint-nextel.html  Questions for discussion: Summarize the lessons learned from this report about the “success and failures†of M&As. What do you suppose… Read more »
Blackstone to Pay $4.7 Billion for Dynegy
Description: The Blackstone Group, the private equity giant, agreed on Friday to buy Dynegy, the Houston power company that once sought to buy Enron, for $4.7 billion including debt, in the largest leveraged buyout so far this year. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/business/14dynegy.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Is this a good deal? Is the risk… Read more »
Blockbuster wins debt reprieve, warns of liquidation
Description: Source: Reuters.com  Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67C2VO20100813 Questions for discussion: What financial advice would you give to Blockbuster’s management? What would you advise investors to do – buy, sell, or hold? Is there a special opportunity here for investors?
Apple sets sights on Exxon value
Description: Apple’s super streak gives it a market valuation second only to the oil behemoth Exxon Mobil. But readers of ‘The Buzz’ are skeptical. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/06/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/06/n_bz_apple_exxon_mobile.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the overvaluation of Apple stock? What were the arguments that suggest Apple is not overvalued… Read more »
