Description: Nike’s guidance for its future orders was surprisingly weak. But that’s only because of the dollar’s surge. Investors are excited that demand remains strong, especially in China and Europe. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 20, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/20/nike-stock-buzz.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How does the strong U.S. dollar affect Nike’s financial performance? Explain… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Company Analysis
Lululemon Athletica Inc rebounds after yoga-wear maker reassures investors that problems are temporary
Description: Canadian yogawear retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc forecast earnings and revenue below expectations on Thursday, but its shares rose after executives said the weak outlook was largely due to temporary West Coast port delays and currency factors. The stock was up 6.2% at US$64.73 in morning trading, with investors reassured that the outlook did not… Read more »
Are Alibaba’s Problems Expiring Along With Its IPO Lockup?
Description: Starting today, some of Alibaba’s earliest investors can sell their stakes, six months after the company went public in the biggest market debut in history. Source: Forbes.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/03/18/alibaba-ipo-lockup-expiration/ Questions for Discussions: What contributed to the recent decline in the stock price? What would suggest better prices in the not too distant… Read more »
Valeant Inc lands Salix Ltd with knockout bid, but forced to pay more than expected
Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals scored a knockout punch Monday in the bidding war for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., even though a frenetic M&A race in the pharmaceutical industry forced it to pay more than it originally hoped. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: March 16, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/16/valeant-inc-lands-salix-ltd-with-knockout-bid-but-forced-to-pay-more-than-expected/ Questions for discussion: Why are pharma mergers and acquisitions like this one… Read more »
GM announces $5 billion stock buyback
Description: CEO Mary Barra outlined the stock buyback, as well as a new comprehensive capital allocation framework meant to put more money in shareholders’ pockets. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: March 09, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1A9zcfr Questions for Discussions: Why did GM go ahead with the buyback? Do you think it was a good decision… Read more »
Apple ripe for a correction?
Description: Apple Inc. shares may be too hot for their own good. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 24, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-ripe-for-a-correction-2015-02-24 Questions for discussion: Explain the basis of this assessment. Do you agree with this assessment? What is driving Apple’s stock value?
How CrossFit Became A $4 Billion Brand
Description: CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman has turned the fitness industry on its head. He’s done it, I think, by making CrossFit a mirror image of himself. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 25, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2015/02/25/how-crossfit-became-a-4-billion-brand/ Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for the extreme financial success of CrossFit. Do you think Greg Glassman can maintain growth… Read more »
HSBC bank raided by Swiss authorities
Description: The public prosecutor’s office in Geneva has opened a criminal inquiry into allegations of money laundering at HSBC. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Feb 17, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2015/02/18/hsbc-bank-raid.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the concerns for investors if the investigations show illegal activities have been going on at the bank? How is this… Read more »
5 Reasons Why Apple’s $750 Billion Market Cap Could Get Even Bigger
Description: Apple AAPL -0.2% has broken its fair share of records lately, posting the most profitable quarter in history after selling a record 74.5 million iPhones and becoming the first U.S. company to cross the $700 billion valuation mark. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 19, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/02/19/5-reasons-why-apples-750-billion-market-cap-could-get-even-bigger/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented in order of importance. Do… Read more »
Traders Are Betting Sears Will Be the Next Big Retailer to Fail
Description: (Bloomberg) — Billionaire Eddie Lampert’s quest to revive Sears Holdings Corp. is looking dubious to credit-swaps traders. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 19, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-19/sears-turnaround-seen-failing-by-traders-in-credit-swaps-market Questions for Discussions: What are the signs that traders think suggest Sears’ demise? Do you agree with this assessment? Can Sears be saved?
