Target has its groove back

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: Investors and consumers seem to have forgotten about the big data breach. Target’s stock is at an all-time high. Wall Street loves what new CEO Brian Cornell is doing. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 31, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/31/target-stock-buzz.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why has Target’s stock price performed so well? Do you think it’s… Read more »

Why Good Friday could turn into Friday the 13th for the world’s biggest bond market

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description: The most dangerous time for the Treasury market this month will be when the U.S. issues employment data on Friday, if February and March are any guide. Source: FinancialPost/Bloomberg.com Date: March 02, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/why-good-friday-could-turn-into-friday-the-13th-for-the-worlds-biggest-bond-market Questions for Discussions: What are bond investors looking at as a determinant of higher interest rates? What else should… Read more »

Motorola Is Unable to Find Buyers After Months-Long Effort

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Motorola Solutions Inc. has failed to find a buyer after seeking to drum up interest from private-equity funds and large industrial companies, people with knowledge of the matter said. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: April 02, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-02/motorola-is-said-unable-to-find-buyers-after-months-long-effort Questions for discussion: Why do you think Motorola is having difficulty finding a buyer? What are the… Read more »

Who Will Pay For McDonald’s Wage Hikes?

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Description: If McDonald’s franchises follow the parent company – which recently hiked wages — and hike their own wages, some of them could soon be out of business. But before they close the door, they may lay-off many of their employees, who will end up paying for the wage hike. Source: Forbes.com Date: April 02,… Read more »

Swoosh! Nike pops despite strong dollar

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Nike’s guidance for its future orders was surprisingly weak. But that’s only because of the dollar’s surge. Investors are excited that demand remains strong, especially in China and Europe. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 20, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/20/nike-stock-buzz.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How does the strong U.S. dollar affect Nike’s financial performance? Explain… Read more »

Investors fly away from U.S. stock funds at a rate last seen in 2009

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Don’t expect European inflows to keep up torrid pace: analysts Source: MarketWatch.com Date: March 28, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-flee-us-stock-funds-at-a-rate-last-seen-in-2009-2015-03-27 Questions for discussion: Why are investors moving into European stocks? When do you think it will taper off?

Lululemon Athletica Inc rebounds after yoga-wear maker reassures investors that problems are temporary

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Description: Canadian yogawear retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc forecast earnings and revenue below expectations on Thursday, but its shares rose after executives said the weak outlook was largely due to temporary West Coast port delays and currency factors. The stock was up 6.2% at US$64.73 in morning trading, with investors reassured that the outlook did not… Read more »

Here’s what stocks do in the months just before a rate hike

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — It seems increasingly clear that the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2006 is now just months away, and that is making investors nervous. But should it? Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-what-stocks-do-in-the-months-just-before-a-rate-hike-2015-03-06 Questions for Discussions: What does the report suggest is the typical market response to rate… Read more »

Valeant Inc lands Salix Ltd with knockout bid, but forced to pay more than expected

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals scored a knockout punch Monday in the bidding war for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., even though a frenetic M&A race in the pharmaceutical industry forced it to pay more than it originally hoped. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: March 16, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/16/valeant-inc-lands-salix-ltd-with-knockout-bid-but-forced-to-pay-more-than-expected/ Questions for discussion: Why are pharma mergers and acquisitions like this one… Read more »

GM announces $5 billion stock buyback

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

Description: CEO Mary Barra outlined the stock buyback, as well as a new comprehensive capital allocation framework meant to put more money in shareholders’ pockets. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: March 09, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1A9zcfr Questions for Discussions: Why did GM go ahead with the buyback? Do you think it was a good decision… Read more »