Description: Ever since Jerome Monroe Smucker first started selling apple butter in 1897, the company that bears his name has been best known for jams, peanut butter and other treats. Now J.M. Smucker is moving into the world of dog biscuits and cat soufflés. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03, 2015 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/smucker-to-buy-big-heart-pet-brands-for-5-8-billion/?ref=business Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial analysis
Forget Yahoo, just buy Alibaba
Description: Yahoo is surging on the news it is spinning off its Alibaba stake. But the Chinese e-commerce giant looks great on its own. It is expected to post strong sales and earnings growth. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 28, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/28/buzz-alibaba-better-off-bought-without-yahoo.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why would the sale of Alibaba share… Read more »
Will 2015 Be Any Better? Ten Numbers to Watch
Description: Enough with the debate over whether 2014 was a bad year (Islamic State, Ebola, Crimea) or a good year (homicide rates are falling). Time to take a look at the shiny new coin in the palms of our hands: 2015. How will it measure up? Here are 10 numbers to watch: Source: Businessweek.com Date:… Read more »
‘The Colbert Report’ leaves us 5 important investing rules to live by
Description: Sound investing is partly about uncovering ‘truthiness’ Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Dec 17, 2014 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-colbert-report-leaves-us-5-important-investing-rules-to-live-by-2014-12-17?mod=MW_video_trending Questions for Discussions: Summarize the key ideas suggested to investors. Which do you think is most relevant today?
The problem with hedge funds
Description: AQR Capital Management co-founder, Cliff Asness, breaks down some pros and cons of hedge funds. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 24, 2014 Link: http://for.tn/1tflPYk Questions for Discussions: What does Cliff Asness have to say about hedge funds and hedge fund investors? What do you think of his commentary?
Failed Allergan Deal Strains Valeant’s Business Model
Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals just spent the year in the “make William Ackman even richer” business. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 26, 2014 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/failed-allergan-deal-strains-valeants-business-model/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the events described in this takeover battle. Who benefited the most? Were there any ”losers”?
A Dying Mall in Concord, New Hampshire
Description: On a crisp Friday evening in late October, Shannon Rich, 33, is standing in a dying American mall. Three customers wander the aisles in a Sears the size of two football fields. The RadioShack is empty. A woman selling smartphone cases watches “Homeland” on a laptop. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 21, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-21/a-dying-mall-in-concord-new-hampshire.html… Read more »
Warren Buffett buying battery maker Duracell
Description: Berkshire Hathaway, owned by Warren Buffett, is buying Duracell for $4.7 billion worth of stock from Proctor & Gamble. P&G will also recapitalize Duracell with $1.7B before the transaction is complete. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 13, 2014 Link: http://for.tn/1xwAcvo Questions for Discussions: How did this deal cause P&G stock to jump?… Read more »
Walmart Q3 Results Beat Street Expectations: Are They Sustainable?
Description: After seven long quarters of declines, for the third quarter of 2014, Walmart posted a modest increase of 0.5 percent in sales at U.S. stores open at least a year. Source: Forbes.com Date: Nov 13, 2014 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/paularosenblum/2014/11/13/walmart-q3-results-beat-street-expectations-is-it-sustainable/ Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about Walmart financials today and looking ahead? Given… Read more »
What We Learned From High-Cost Lender OnDeck’s IPO Filing
Description: OnDeck, a small business lender that has loaned Main Street companies more than $1.7 billion since 2007, sometimes at annual percentage rates exceeding 100 percent, has filed for an initial public offering. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Nov 11, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-11/ondeck-ipo-alternative-loans-arent-getting-any-cheaper#r=nav-fst Questions for Discussions: Is OnDeck gouging borrowers, in your opinion? Evaluate the level of… Read more »
