Description: Shares of the home carbonation machine maker sunk 21% to an all-time trading low Tuesday after the company released poor preliminary results for the third quarter. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Oct 07, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/07/investing/sodastream-earnings-warnings/index.html?iid=HP_LN Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial performance of the company from an investor’s point of view. What has happened? Do… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Economic Analysis
S&P 500 Companies Spend 95% of Profits on Buybacks, Payouts
Description: Companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index really love their shareholders. Maybe too much. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 06, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-06/s-p-500-companies-spend-almost-all-profits-on-buybacks-payouts.html Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about corporate use of funds? Why is this a concern longer term?
The next big crisis? Think 2008, only worse
Description: NEW YORK — Ever wondered when the next financial crisis will be? Possibly in just a couple of years with the “coming collapse of the international monetary system.” Source: FinancialPost.com/Reuters Date: Oct 06, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/10/06/the-next-big-crisis-think-2008-only-worse/ Questions for Discussions: What is your opinion of this prediction? How should investors respond if they disagree with… Read more »
How to tell when investors are scared
Description: You can’t just look at stock prices to judge how investors feel. CNNMoney’s Fear & Greed Index measures seven different gauges to determine if investors are fearful or greedy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/10/02/fear-and-greed-explainer.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the composition of the index? How should it be… Read more »
The Government Keeps Helping People Buy Failing Cold Stone Creamerys
Description: Would you loan someone money to buy a Cold Stone Creamery franchise if you knew that more than a quarter of those loans default? If you’re the U.S. government, the answer is yes. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 16, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-16/franchises-the-government-keeps-helping-people-buy-failing-brands#r=nav-fst Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose the SBA loans continue to be… Read more »
Blackstone’s $26 Billion Hilton Deal: The Best Leveraged Buyout Ever
Description: In the early spring of 2009, with the recession deepening, Christopher Nassetta stood alone in an empty house in Arlington, Va., surrounded by moving boxes and trying not to despair. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 12, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-11/blackstones-hilton-deal-best-leveraged-buyout-ever#r=nav-f-story Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial highlights in this story. Do you agree with assessment that… Read more »
Scottish Banks to Move If Independence Is Approved
Description: Scotland’s leading banks warned Thursday that they would move their headquarters to England if Scots vote to leave the United Kingdom, intensifying doubts about the territory’s economic future and dealing a blow to the Scottish independence campaign just days ahead of a historic Source:ABCNews.com Date: Sep 11, 2014 Link: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/scottish-banks-move-independence-approved-25435839 Questions for Discussions: What… Read more »
Alibaba’s expected blockbuster IPO may mean garage sale of less attractive tech stocks
Description: Investors are looking over portfolios to make room for Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings Inc’s market debut next month – and that means some less attractive stocks that funds are holding might be shown the door. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 26, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/26/alibabas-expected-blockbuster-ipo-may-mean-garage-sale-of-less-attractive-tech-stocks/ Questions for Discussions: How might Alibaba’s IPO affect individual… Read more »
Was it really a record-breaking summer for stocks?
Description: Bloomberg’s Mike Regan discusses the summer’s market movements with Matt Miller on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Aug 29, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/was-it-really-a-record-breaking-summer-for-stocks-Y0wgnB9_QzO2faMmLfjC6g.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentary and analysis presented in this report on the markets. Do you agree with this view? Where do you see things heading?
S&P 500 Tops 2,000. Don’t Do Anything
Description: On Monday the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index traded above 2,000 for the first time, getting to just under 2,002 before retreating below the 2K mark in early afternoon. Should you cheer? Or panic? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Aug 25, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-25/s-and-p-500-hits-2-000-dot-should-investors-buy-sell-or-hold#r=hpf-s Questions for Discussions: What is the message to investors in this article?… Read more »
