Intel quarter signals healthy market, but skeptics remain

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Description: Intel Corp.’s unexpectedly robust second quarter sent ripples of optimism throughout a tech sector battered by warnings of weakening demand in a still-fragile global economy. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/14/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/intel-boosts-sentiment-in-battered-tech-sector-2010-07-14?siteid=nwtwk   Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for believing the results from Intel are promising for the economy in general? Why are there… Read more »

Rex on Techs: Vonage Results Call Investors

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Description:  After some tough years, Vonage, the Internet telephony company, recently started taking steps that customers, and investors, appear to like. Rex Crum says there just might be a place for Vonage as an alternative to the traditional phone carriers. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 07/06/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/rex-on-techs-vonage-results-call-investors/447EDE4C-45DF-41AC-A67A-5DED962439AF Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

On General Electric, investors and Wall Street don’t agree

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Description: Shares slide faster than S&P’s decline, but most analysts say, ‘Buy’ Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/on-ge-investors-and-wall-street-dont-agree-2010-07-08?siteid=nwtwk   Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for buying or not buying GE at this time? What would you advise an investor to do? What financial indicators would you consider more important for understanding the investment quality… Read more »

Why GM May Be Worth More Than Ford

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Description: It has a stronger balance sheet and sells more cars in emerging markets Source: Businessweek.com   Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_29/b4187044957997.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the assessment? Do you agree with this view? Would you be a buyer of either of these firms today? What are the financial metrics that you would… Read more »

Hit to BP’s market cap gushes past $100 billion

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Description: BP shares dropped as much as 9% in London on Friday, putting the drop the oil major’s market capitalization at more than $100 billion since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill began, as an analyst suggested the company needs to sell stock to assure counterparties of its financial health. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 06/25/2010 Link:… Read more »

Reliance Communications Said to Cut $3 Billion Debt Selling Towers to GTL

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Description: Billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications Ltd. will cut its debt by at least $3 billion by selling its mobile-phone transmission towers, people familiar with the deal said. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 06/27/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-27/gtl-to-buy-reliance-communications-towers-to-expand-mobile-phone-network.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the transaction described in the report? What were the benefits derived for each side? How will… Read more »

BP Halts Dividend, Earmarks $20 Billion

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Description:  BP said it was suspending dividend payments for much of this year and created a $20 billion fund to pay injured parties. Alan Murray and Joe White discuss. Also, Steven Gillon, a presidential historian discusses Barack Obama’s leadership style in the context of other presidents who have faced serious crises. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video… Read more »

RIM may be feeling the heat from Android, iPhone

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Description: Though analysts still expected Research In Motion Ltd. to post strong double-digit gains in both sales and earnings for its recently-ended first fiscal quarter, there is a growing sense that the company is facing more pressure from the fast-growing lineup of new smart phones on the market. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/research-in-motion-may-see-effects-of-competition-2010-06-18  … Read more »

BP Considers Cut to Dividend

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Description: BP is considering reducing its dividends to help quell political uproar against the company. Meanwhile, the U.S. raised estimates of the oil gushing from the crippled Gulf of Mexico well. Monica Langley, Dennis Berman, Evan Newmark and Bruce Orwall discuss. Also, a discussion of Saturday’s World Cup soccer match between England and the U.S…. Read more »