Description:Â Gold prices jumped back above $1,400 an ounce Friday to settle at a fresh record-high as the U.S. dollar slid following a surprisingly weak report on the nation’s job market. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date: 12/04/2010 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/03/markets/gold/index.htm Questions for discussion: Why has gold continued to move up in price? Where is the demand coming from?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Economic Analysis
Tiffany shows its sparkle
Description: The season of bling in full swing, as Tiffany reports a 14% surge in sales, and Signet gets a boost from record gold prices. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/11/24/mkts_tiffany_signet.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results reported? Do you believe these results suggest a positive change in consumer attitude toward… Read more »
BofA in a bear trap
Description: Bank of America’s financial woes deepen, some readers of “The Buzz” believe the stock is undervalued, others remain furious at the bank. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/23/n_bz_bofa.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe BofA is a bear trap? Summarize the key points presented in the report about BofA. Do you… Read more »
Rosenberg Interview on Holiday Shopping, U.S. Economy
Description: David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates, talks about the outlook for the holiday-shopping season. Rosenberg, speaking with Sara Eisen and Erik Schatzker on Bloomberg Television’s “InsideTrack,” also discusses the prospects for the U.S. economy. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report  Date: 11/26/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/64814870/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented… Read more »
Taxing the Rich: It’s All Relative
Description: IT’S not just Tea Party activists who are angry about taxes. A much larger and more diverse group appears outraged that Congress is considering allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire at year-end for families earning more than $250,000 and for individuals earning more than $200,000 Source: NYTimes.com Date: 11/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/business/28view.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »
Investors on thin ice
Description: LPL Financial’s chief market strategist warns of ‘below average’ economic growth heading toward the New Year. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/19/f_kleintop_holiday_market.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions expressed in the report. Do you agree with the arguments presented? Why do you think retail investors are continuing to flee equities? What… Read more »
GM shares rise, but will it be enough for taxpayers?
Description: The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2010/11/gm_shares_rise_but_will_it_be_enough_for_taxpayers.html Questions for discussion: Was the government’s decision to re-finance GM a good choice financially and socially speaking? Should more shares be issued sooner or later? Do you think the… Read more »
Bernanke turns up heat on China currency policy
Description: Slow pace of adjustment has thrown off natural rebalancing Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bernanke-turns-up-heat-on-china-currency-policy-2010-11-18?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Explain the basis of Bernanke’s complaint. Do you agree with his position? What do you expect the Chinese regulators to do? How should investors and financial managers react to this report?
Chanos: China’s treadmill to hell
Description: The short-selling hedge fund manager continues to cast doubt on the Chinese economy and its reliance on construction. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/12/n_jim_chanos_china.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns expressed about the Chinese economy and the implications for global economic activity? How would you characterize the real estate industry in… Read more »
Why Oil Could Top $100 a Barrel
Description:Â The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source:Â Businessweek.com Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204020339245.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key reasons given for the possible rise of oil prices next year? Do you agree with this assessment? What would this mean for investors?… Read more »
