Description: There should be a sign hanging outside the foreign-exchange market that reads: Amateurs need not apply. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/investing/fxcm-swiss-currency-trading/index.html?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: Why is currency trading so risky, according to the report? Why does it attract traders?
Posts Categorized: Economic Analysis
Druckenmiller Alums at PointState Make $1 Billion on Oil
Description: Hedge fund manager Zach Schreiber stood on stage at Avery Fisher Hall in New York eight months ago and made a bold prediction. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-20/druckenmiller-alums-at-pointstate-make-1-billion-on-oil.html Questions for discussion: What was the basis for shorting oil? How should investors view oil today?
Francs, Fear and Folly
Description: Ah, Switzerland, famed for cuckoo clocks and sound money. Other nations may experiment with radical economic policies, but with the Swiss you don’t get surprises. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 15, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/paul-krugman-francs-fear-and-folly.html?mabReward=R5&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East®ion=Footer&module=Recommendation&src=recg&pgtype=article Questions for Discussions: Summarize the actions taken by the Swiss to manage the franc. What is the concern for the US… Read more »
Are low oil prices good or bad for the economy?
Description: Fortune’s Stephen Gandel explains how low oil prices are affecting market trends across the globe. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 16, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1BcnAhx Questions for Discussions: Summarize the keys points made in this report. How should investors be expected to respond? How can companies “defend” against the expected investor reaction?
Individual investors lose more than $400 million on bad Swiss currency bets
Description: In the wake of the 2008 market crash, a growing number of individual investors jumped into currency trading under the impression that it was a safer bet than stocks. On Thursday, investors learned just how wrong they were. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 16, 2015 Link: http://fortune.com/2015/01/16/swiss-franc-400-million-losses/ Questions for discussion: What are the lessons investors… Read more »
Why Rosenberg says the drop in oil is a ‘black swan event’
Description: Oil is hitting fresh lows again, dropping to under $55 a barrel today on worries about a global supply glut and lacklustre demand. David Rosenberg, chief economist and strategist at Gluskin Sheff and Associates tells BNN why he sees the ongoing plunge as a ‘Black swan event.’ Source: BNN.ca Date: Jan 05, 2015 Link:… Read more »
Investing in oil can cause pain now but produce profits later
Description: Your patience will be rewarded if you can wait as long as a year Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Jan 08, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investing-in-oil-can-cause-pain-now-but-produce-profits-later-2015-01-08 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the investment play suggested to investors. Do you agree with this line of thinking?
Check your greed and Apple Watch at the door as we enter 2015
Description: When I was a kid, we greeted the New Year by banging pots and pans in the doorway — about as exciting as it got for a small Kansas town. It was all about the thrill of the unknown and a year of possibilities. And those are exactly the same reasons I woke up… Read more »
What’s behind the Saudi Oil Price Cut
Description: Nasdaq Advisory Services Lead Energy Analyst Tamar Essner and Oilprice.com Senior Contributor Dan Dicker discuss the price of oil on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Nov 04, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/what-s-behind-the-saudi-oil-price-cut-UvsjUNlkRR6BSO7_DJlUkw.html Questions for Discussions: According to the panel, what is driving lower prices of oil? Do you think prices can… Read more »
Whole Foods reports 9% growth over last year
Description: Whole Food’s fiscal year culminated at the end of September, reporting “Record total sales of $3.3 billion, a 9% increase over the prior year.” Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 06, 2014 Link: http://for.tn/1GuEyIx Questions for Discussions: How well has the firm performed financially? Do you think the firm still warrants a premium… Read more »
