Description: HJ Heinz Co.’s longtime leader Bill Johnson stood in the Veranda ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, addressing the ketchup maker’s top 50 executives for the last time. Around the corner in a smaller room, his successor as chief executive officer, Bernardo Hees, waited to tell some of the same managers whether… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial analysis
POSTMASTER SAYS USPS MAY NEED EMERGENCY RATE HIKE
Description: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Thursday his agency is in “the midst of a financial disaster” and may need an emergency increase in postage rates to keep operating. Source: AP.com Date: Sep 19, 2013 Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike Questions for Discussions: What is the problem at the USPS? Why is it important to keep the service… Read more »
Men’s Wearhouse is out of style
Description: Investors flee the retailer after disappointing sales and earnings. Will ousted chairman George Zimmer try to take the company private? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/12/investing-buzz-mens-wearhouse-sales-george-zimmer-private.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why do failing companies typically go private? Do you think the firm needs new management in order to revive sales… Read more »
Companies Embrace Low Interest Rates by Selling Bonds to Raise Billions
Description: For companies looking to raise money through the debt markets, and the bankers egging them on, it seems no sum is too large.Verizon Communications shattered records and shook up the bond world on Wednesday when it sold $49 billion of investment-grade corporate debt at one time. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/verizon-set-for-49-billion-debt-sale/?ref=business… Read more »
Why Starbucks Could Double Again
Description: In the course of its 21 year stock history, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) has doubled exactly 8 times. Minus the brief but major dips, the stock has taken off since ’08, and it has had a consistent rise in price for the last 6 years. Almost in a straight upward line. This year alone it… Read more »
Bond yields hitting 3%? Not so fast!
Description: Fewer jobs were added than expected in August, which may be a sign that the economy is not strong enough yet for the Fed to start tapering its monthly asset purchases. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 06, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/06/investing-the-buzz-us-bonds-taper-jobs-report.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Explain the connection between bond prices and the interest… Read more »
The hunt for yield
Description: Looking for the highest yield plays out there? Business Day asks investing experts to outline what investors should look for when choosing a dividend stock, ETFs, and top paying energy shares. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Aug 30, 2013 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/8/30/The-hunt-for-yield.aspx Questions for Discussions: Describe the investing strategy suggested by Leslie Lundquist. What… Read more »
Don’t invest in your company’s stock : Be wary of employer stock in your 401(k)
Description: If ever you needed another reason not to invest in your company’s stock inside your 401(k), this would be it. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: August 24, 2013 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dont-invest-in-your-companys-stock-2013-08-24 Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about investing in companies with 401(k) plans? What is the explanation for the stock performance? What are the… Read more »
High speed trading showdown
Description: Citadel’s Jamil Nazarali and former high speed trader David Lauer weigh the pros and cons of computerized stock trading for investors and society. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 14, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/08/14/investing-high-speed-trading-good-or-bad.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about high speed trading? What do you think regulators’ roles should be… Read more »
Quit worrying about a 1987-style crash
Description: More and more I am hearing and reading about the coming of a 1987-style crash. There are interviews in which the subject chats about how we have to prepare for it. Articles are being published telling us that this year’s percentage gains rival those of 1987 with the clear implication being that another crash… Read more »
