Description: Barnes & Noble said late Tuesday that it will consider selling itself, pushing shares of the world’s largest bookseller up more than 25% in after-hours action Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 08/03/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/barnes-noble-may-put-itself-up-for-sale-2010-08-03?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think B&N is a good investment today? Would you short the stock? As an acquisition, how… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
Stock Picks: Dow Chemical, Priceline.com, Research In Motion
Description: Wall Street analysts offer buy, sell, or hold opinions on stocks in the news on Aug. 4. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 08/04/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/aug2010/pi2010084_006866.htm  Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for special interest in these stocks? Do you agree with the assessments and recommendations made?
FedEx raises its profit view as global economy strengthens
Description: There was more evidence of an improving economic environment Monday when bellwether FedEx Corp. raised its profit outlook and said it would again match employee payments into retirement funds. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 07/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fedex-ups-profit-view-restores-401k-payments-2010-07-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Why is FedEx considered a leading economic indicator? How would you expect investors to react… Read more »
Takeover Spree May Point to Second-Half Pickup in M&A
Description: spate of mergers and acquisitions during the past two weeks may signal the start of a comeback for global deal making in the second half of 2010. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 07/30/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-30/takeover-spree-may-point-to-second-half-pickup-in-m-a.html  Questions for discussion: Do you think economic conditions favor further M&A activity for the rest of the year? What do… Read more »
GE raises dividend, expects to resume share buybacks
Description: General Electric Co. raised its dividend and re-started a $15 billion share-buyback program Friday as the conglomerate cited progress in its effort to recover from the financial crisis. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-raises-dividend-to-resume-share-buybacks-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial changes at GE? Do you think management’s decisions are wise or would you… Read more »
Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly
Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm  Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms? How… Read more »
Amazon shares fall after earnings disappoint
Description: Online retail giant ramps up investments, sees continued spending Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-falls-after-earnings-disappoint-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial conditions at Amazon? Would you be concerned as an investor or as a financial manager in the firm? What would you advise management?
Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem
Description: MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company? Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/24/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor… Read more »
AM Report: The Fed Gains Power, Responsibility
Description:Â With financial reform clearing Congress, the Fed has emerged as perhaps the pre-eminent financial regulator, but that could only bring it added blame if things go wrong again. Jon Hilsenrath, Evan Newmark and Kelly Evans discuss. Also, Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discusses Apple’s options ahead of its anticipated press conference on the troubled iPhone-4. Source: Marketwatch.com… Read more »
News Hub: The Playboy Takeover Tussle
Description: Playboy is facing a lively takeover battle, which promises to get more and more interesting. Jon Friedman discusses why he believes the focus on Playboy underscores the fact that fabled but scorned “old-media” brands still have a lot of value.  Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/16/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-the-playboy-takeover-tussle/B951E43C-8270-4A5E-8A61-1E67BCB7F91C Questions for discussion: From… Read more »
