Is the Global Economy Doomed?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description:  Economist and author Peter Schiff stops by Mean Street to discuss events in Europe and the global economy. (Photo: Reuters)   Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 12/08/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented in this report. Do you agree with the opinions presented? What would you advise investors do today?

Stocks End Flat Friday but Surge for the Week

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description:  Stocks finished a strong week with a flat session Friday after the U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped and European leaders and central bankers redoubled efforts to tackle the sovereign-debt crisis. Paul Vigna has details on The News Hub. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 12/02/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/stocks-end-flat-friday-but-surge-for-the-week/5503108F-20B2-4D00-982F-852ADFC4B811 Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented… Read more »

Options Dwindle for Euro Zone

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description:  European Central Bank is considering a dramatic extension of its longest loans to commercial banks, to stave off a potential collapse of the bloc’s banking system, Steven Fidler reports on Markets Hub. Photo: AFP /Getty Images. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented in this report. Do you agree… Read more »

Can the Jobs-and-Income Crisis End Well?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description:  Some economists believe that today’s grinding unemployment and slow growth are masking the transition to a vibrant digital economy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/finance/can-the-jobsandincome-crisis-end-well-11252011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments about the current economic malaise. What is your view of the situation and how do you think things will develop over the next… Read more »

Will There Be A Santa Claus Rally?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description:  LPL Financial’s chief market strategist, Jeffrey Kleintop gives an outlook and an investing strategy for the end of the year, including whether he expects a Santa Claus rally. Photo: Reuters. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 11/18/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/will-there-be-a-santa-claus-rally/9119F9FC-8085-499B-9754-DC0AEFD95162 Questions for discussion: Do you think there will be a Santa Claus rally? Summarize the… Read more »

Goldman Sachs Names 261 Managing Directors, Fewest Since 2008

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  Goldman Sachs Group Inc., the fifth- biggest U.S. bank by assets, named the smallest group of new managing directors since 2008 as the firm cuts jobs and grapples with declining revenue. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/19/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-19/goldman-sachs-names-261-managing-directors-fewest-since-2008.html Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest to you about the thinking on managing directors and… Read more »

Europe’s Impact on U.S. Stocks

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description:     Barrons.com Stocks Editor Bob O’Brien makes a stop on Mean Street to discuss the relationship between the European debt crisis and the U.S. economy. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 11/07/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/europe-impact-on-us-stocks/0F5C104D-4734-404D-BED8-E6A1618F8A1E Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented for concern over the European debt crisis. How is the global economy affected by… Read more »

New gold bugs are young and restless

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description: The allure of gold is thousands of years old, but nowadays the precious metal has a youthful look. Gold’s spectacular, decade-long run, coupled with the sovereign-debt crisis in Europe, an uncertain outlook for the U.S. dollar, and worries of worldwide recession, has tapped a new vein of investors in their 20s and 30s. Source: … Read more »

The End of Borders and the Future of Books

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  An inside look at the real reasons for the once-beloved chain’s demise Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/10/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-end-of-borders-and-the-future-of-books-11102011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points in this report. What lessons are there here for financial managers to learn from the mistakes made?