Why investors should worry about this bad sign for retailers

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

Description: Large-cap retail stocks are outperforming the broader stock market this year, as falling unemployment means more Americans are willing to spend money. But investors seem to be ignoring a decline in earnings estimates, as management at several top companies have given conservative guidance. Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: March 10, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-investors-should-worry-about-this-bad-sign-for-retailers-2015-03-10?dist=afterbell Questions for Discussions:… Read more »

How to start a successful craft beer brewery

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

Description: Michael Kane went from poring over spreadsheets to pouring craft beer with his name on it. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: March 04, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/03/smallbusiness/craft-beer-startup-how-to-guide/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the financial issues related to starting and operating a craft brewery? Why is cash flow management so critical to success of the business?

The Price of Oil Is About to Blow a Hole in Corporate Accounting

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

Description: (Bloomberg) — There’s one place in the world where oil is still $95 a barrel. On paper. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: March 04, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-04/oil-at-95-a-barrel-discovered-in-sec-rules-on-reserves Questions for discussion: What are the implications of the current price for oil? How should investors deal with this concern?

How CrossFit Became A $4 Billion Brand

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

Description: CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman has turned the fitness industry on its head. He’s done it, I think, by making CrossFit a mirror image of himself. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 25, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2015/02/25/how-crossfit-became-a-4-billion-brand/ Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for the extreme financial success of CrossFit. Do you think Greg Glassman can maintain growth… Read more »

If history is a guide, oil could rebound in May

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

Description: Oil bulls may only need to be patient for a little while longer. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/if-history-is-a-guide-oil-could-rebound-in-may-2015-02-18 Questions for discussion: Explain the analysis upon which the prediction is based. Do you agree with this assessment and prediction?

5 Reasons Why Apple’s $750 Billion Market Cap Could Get Even Bigger

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

Description: Apple AAPL -0.2% has broken its fair share of records lately, posting the most profitable quarter in history after selling a record 74.5 million iPhones and becoming the first U.S. company to cross the $700 billion valuation mark. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 19, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/02/19/5-reasons-why-apples-750-billion-market-cap-could-get-even-bigger/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented in order of importance. Do… Read more »

Twitter’s user problem overshadows strong revenue increases

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

Description: The company posted $479 million in quarterly revenue, up a meteoric 97 percent from this time last year. However, the social media giant’s user growth has slowed to a crawl. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 06, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1C1nKnj Questions for Discussions: What are investors’ concerns with Twitter? Do you think it… Read more »

A Deal That Could Reverse Pfizer’s History of Value-Destroying Acquisitions

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

Description: Pfizer has made more than its share of value-destroying acquisitions. The pharmaceutical giant’s $15.2 billion purchase of Hospira could reverse that history. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 05, 2015 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/a-deal-that-could-reverse-pfizers-history-of-value-destroying-acquisitions/ Questions for discussion: Summarize Pfizer’s M&A history. What’s different this time? Would you be an investor today?

Investors binge buy Netflix

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

Description: Netflix stock is one of the top performers of 2015 thanks to strong earnings and subscriber growth. And it just sold $1.5 billion in bonds to fund future expansion. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Feb 03, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/02/03/netflix-stock-binge-buy.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why are investors pouring into Netflix stock? Do you think the… Read more »