Description:  Sears Holdings Corp. has agreed to sell its popular Craftsman tool brand through Ace Hardware stores, as the company turns again to outsiders to help grow its sales. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-agrees-to-sell-craftsman-tools-at-ace-hardware-2010-02-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think this strategy is sound for both firms? What alternative strategies are available to Sears and… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
GM’s chief gets $9 million
Description: General Motors chairman and chief executive, Ed Whitacre, Jr. will receive a compensation package worth $9 million, the automaker said Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 02/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/19/news/companies/GM_salary/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you believe this compensation is appropriate in light of GM’s history and connection to TARP? Do you believe there can be negative reaction… Read more »
Toyota shares up after apology, Prius recall news
Description: Shares in Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) edged higher after the head of the world’s largest automaker made a public apology for safety problems and said it would bring in outside experts to review quality controls. Source: Reuters.com Date: 02/07/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE61602420100208 Questions for discussion: How would you play a short term investment in Toyota? Explain… Read more »
Geithner’s bailout burden
Description: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says he will always feel legitimate pressure from the public even though the bailout wasn’t ‘under his watch. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/29/n_geithner_stimulus_bailout.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you share the views put forward by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner? Explain your answer. In which ways do… Read more »
Tesla Motors files for IPO, seeking $100 million
Description: High-end electric-car company Tesla Motors filed for an initial public offering Friday, seeking $100 million in the public-financing arena as conventional auto makers are reeling from anemic sales and product recalls. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 01/29/2010 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tesla-motors-files-for-ipo-to-raise-up-to-100-mln-2010-01-29 Questions for discussion: What are the factors favoring the success of this IPO and those against? Summarize… Read more »
Goldman’s image crisis
Description: The elite Wall Street firm is criticized for doling out $21 billion in bonuses this year and having sold toxic assets. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/13/n_goldman_public_attention.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are your impressions of the report with respect to the presentation of the culture of the firm and the… Read more »
JPMorgan Chase books $3.3 billion profit
Description: JPMorgan Chase showed it was close to making a full recovery from last year’s crisis after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly profits of $3.3 billion Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/15/news/companies/JPMorgan_Chase_earnings/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What does the recovery by JPMorgan suggest about the financial future other financial institutions and stock… Read more »
Ackman Buys 2% Kraft Stake, Urges Cash for Cadbury
Description: Billionaire investor William Ackman bought a $950 million stake in Kraft Foods Inc. and urged its Chief Executive Officer Irene Rosenfeld to limit the amount of stock she uses to bid for Cadbury Plc. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/16/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSMnsSKPDuMk Questions for discussion: Do you think Ackman’s decision is a smart move? Do you… Read more »
