Description: Fans of tech stocks and train wrecks got to combine their interests in 2012, as several high-profile companies endured an awful year: Shares of Facebook are off 31 percent, Zynga is down 73 percent, and Groupon is at negative 79 percent. Yahoo! struggled, Netflix fell, and even Apple had a rough stretch that lopped… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial analysis
Fiscal Cliff Fears Drive Huge Spike in Dividend Payouts
Description: Taxes on dividends may go up on January 1. And companies are shoveling dividends out to their shareholders before the taxman comes calling. Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 28, 2012 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/28/fiscal-cliff-fears-drive-huge-spike-in-dividend-payouts.html Questions for Discussions: What is the history of dividend payouts and changing tax policies? Do you think the payouts are good for the… Read more »
Cyber Monday goes mobile
Description: Online shopping deals can be had even before Cyber Monday and savvy shoppers can get them from their phones. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/11/23/n-cyber-monday-mobile.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the financial implications for the changes in shopping behavior due to online options? How might these affect cash flows,… Read more »
Black Friday results a useless indicator
Description:Â Commentary: Initial reports from retailers are unreliable Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 23, 2012 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/black-friday-results-a-useless-indicator-2012-11-23 Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about the value of Black Friday as an indicator? Why do you suppose it is given such prominent attention by analysts?
How HPs Disastrous Deal Blows a Hole in Consulting
Description: HP lost $8.8 billion on acquisition gone bad. Are high-priced consultants and accountants like KPMG and Deloitte to blame? Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 21, 2012 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/21/how-hp-s-disastrous-deal-blows-a-hole-in-consulting.html Questions for Discussions: Who is at fault for this situation? What does this report say about the value of consultants and their effort at due diligence? What… Read more »
Twinkie Maker Hostess to Close
Description:Â Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats such as Twinkies and traditional pantry staple Wonder Bread, said Friday it is shuttering its plants and firing about 18,000 workers as it seeks to liquidate the 82-year-old business. Source:Â WSJ.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:Â http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578122632560842670.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the demise… Read more »
Joy: There’s Not Much Value in Treasuries
Description: Nov. 2 (Bloomberg) — David Joy, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial, talks with Bloomberg’s Stephanie Ruhle about his strategy for investing in the bond market. They speak on Bloomberg Television’s “Lunch Money.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/YeXiFQ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the bond strategies made… Read more »
A Bank CEO Thrives Far From Wall Street
Description: Can Wall Street can still be home to a successful, long-serving, largely noncontroversial chief executive officer? An UnBlankfein? Or AntiPandit? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 26, 2012 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-26/a-bank-ceo-thrives-far-from-wall-street#r=hp-lst Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the banking industry, leadership, and financial performance?
Addepar’s Software for the Super-Rich
Description: About nine years ago, Joe Lonsdale started working at Clarium Capital Management, the hedge fund of billionaire technology investor Peter Thiel. Lonsdale was fresh out of Stanford University and had little practical experience in finance, but found himself consulting on Thiel’s early investment in Facebook (FB) and overseeing projects for Clarium’s other holdings. On… Read more »
Wall Street Week Ahead: Investors face earnings blitz with dread
Description:Â U.S. earnings started the quarter on the wrong foot, and things have only gotten worse. Source: Reuters.com Date: Oct 19, 2012 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/20/us-usa-stocks-weekahead-idUSBRE89J00620121020 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the concerns over earnings being reported. How should investors interpret these reports? What will the affect be on stock prices, in your opinion? How will the markets… Read more »
