Description: There was more evidence of an improving economic environment Monday when bellwether FedEx Corp. raised its profit outlook and said it would again match employee payments into retirement funds. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 07/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fedex-ups-profit-view-restores-401k-payments-2010-07-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Why is FedEx considered a leading economic indicator? How would you expect investors to react… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Economic Analysis
Takeover Spree May Point to Second-Half Pickup in M&A
Description: spate of mergers and acquisitions during the past two weeks may signal the start of a comeback for global deal making in the second half of 2010. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 07/30/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-30/takeover-spree-may-point-to-second-half-pickup-in-m-a.html  Questions for discussion: Do you think economic conditions favor further M&A activity for the rest of the year? What do… Read more »
News Hub: Stocks End Week in Rally Mode
Description: Paul Vigna wraps the day in the financial markets, including why the Dow posted a triple-digit gain. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-stocks-end-week-in-rally-mode/51163F51-36EF-4B93-98C1-7E14C782FCEB Questions for discussion: Why are the bank stress-test results considered so important at this time in the business cycle? How should the results be interpreted by investors… Read more »
News Hub: Looking to Boost Yield? Think Ketchup
Description: Brett Arends says a surprising number of blue-chip stocks now offer better yields than Treasurys. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-looking-to-boost-yield-think-ketchup/6BD3FDE8-FF13-4C72-8025-822B9BEFD4F4 Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments for and against the purchase of blue-chip dividend paying stocks over bonds, and treasury bonds in particular. What is your view of this… Read more »
Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem
Description: MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company? Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/24/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor… Read more »
Bond rally reflects gloom – but don’t bet on it lasting
Description: As benchmark yields fall to April ’09 lows, some see second-half rebound. The recent steep rally in U.S. Treasury bonds, helped by investor jitters over European debt and weakening U.S. economic data, isn’t likely to last, say some bond investors and strategists. Source:Â Marketwatch.com Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bond-rally-reflects-gloom-dont-bet-on-it-lasting-2010-07-02 Â Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »
CBOE, Oasis Lead $1.15 Billion in IPOs in Biggest Week of 2010
Description: The market for U.S. initial public offerings showed signs of recovering this week as companies from CBOE Holdings Inc. to Oasis Petroleum Inc. sold $1.15 billion of shares in the biggest week for IPOs this year. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 06/19/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aiuUv_LFsZDM Questions for discussion: Summarize the tone of the report? What is… Read more »
This Week In Mutual Funds: Bonds May Come Unglued
Description: More than a few experts are convinced that massive U.S. government spending will ultimately wreak havoc with the bond market, as both the country and companies are forced to pay higher borrowing costs to satisfy creditors. Money & Investing editor Jonathan Burton reports. Source: Marketwatch.com ╨ video report Date: 06/11/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/this-week-in-mutual-funds-bonds-may-come-unglued/FB20089B-0046-4818-BE91-BD13A0C21BD6 Questions for… Read more »
Why the worst isn’t over yet
Description: Economists, as you have likely heard, are enjoying a bit of a renaissance these days. With a startling new piece of economic news emerging on a near daily basis — Greece is going under! No, it’s Spain! China is in the midst of a housing bubble! China is our savior! — there’s been a… Read more »
Production Probably Rose, Prices Fell: U.S. Economy Preview
Description: Factories kept churning out more goods last month, while prices and home construction fell, pointing to a manufacturing-led U.S. recovery that is not generating inflation, economists said before reports this week. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 06/13/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=afVs1JzRgfSE Questions for discussion: Summarize the key items in the report and explain their significance to a financial… Read more »
