Caterpillar beats but sales mix worries investors

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) reported stronger-than-expected earnings on Thursday and raised its full-year forecast, but warned that a number of factors could weigh on its performance next year, and its shares fell as much as 2.8 percent. Source:  Reuters.com   Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69K27Y20101021 Questions for discussion:  What is the significance of the financial results… Read more »

Investor safe haven or bubble about to burst?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:  Corporate bonds have been on a tear since the market collapse of 2008, as investors sought refuge from a tumultuous stock market. Source:  CNNMoney.com   Date: 10/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/08/markets/bondcenter/corporate_bonds/index.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the analysis presented in the article? Do you agree with the opinions presented? How would you approach investing in bonds?

5 consumer-sector stocks with stable dividends

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

Description:  Stingy consumers are causing stomachaches for brand-name makers of household goods and packaged foods. The biggest consumer-staples companies have been forced into short-term promotions and price cuts to stoke volume growth and retain market share. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 09/03/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-consumer-sector-stocks-with-stable-dividends-2010-09-03 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the investing strategies presented. Do you agree with… Read more »

A busy August for deals fuels M&A speculation

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

Description:  Stagnant stocks, corporate cash piles, low rates, may spur more acquisitions Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-busy-august-fuels-ma-speculation-2010-08-27?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion:  What reasons are presented to explain the level of current M&A activity? What would cause this activity level to change? Do you think these deals are valued correctly, given the conditions that are… Read more »

BP Considers Cut to Dividend

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

Description: BP is considering reducing its dividends to help quell political uproar against the company. Meanwhile, the U.S. raised estimates of the oil gushing from the crippled Gulf of Mexico well. Monica Langley, Dennis Berman, Evan Newmark and Bruce Orwall discuss. Also, a discussion of Saturday’s World Cup soccer match between England and the U.S…. Read more »

The Balance-Sheet Recession

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description: With gold having run up to record prices of late, some have wondered whether the yellow metal is likely to be the next bubble? Brett Arends discusses. And Peter Lattman profiles C. Dean Metropoulos, an low-profile investor with a knack for rebuilding old brands like Chef Boyardee, Bumble Bee and Schlitz. His most recent… Read more »

Market Edge: Dividend Hike a Healthy Sign

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

Description:  Companies that regularly increase their dividend payments are often steady stock picks, according to Don Taylor, manager of Franklin Rising Dividends Fund, who talks with MarketWatch’s Jonathan Burton about the stocks that meet his investment criteria. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/17/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/market-edge-dividend-hike-a-healthy-sign/CFE526EF-6662-4AE0-B2F9-A80E7D6D5CD2 Questions for discussion: Summarize the thinking about growth,… Read more »

Where To Invest When Rates Rise

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:  As the economy improves, rate hikes loom, says Michael Cuggino, manager of the Permanent Portfolio fund family. He tells Jonathan Burton how stock and bond investors can blunt the impact of rising rates and take advantage of global growth. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 03/31/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/where-to-invest-when-rates-rise/2F40294E-9670-4996-93C6-F8553FE0AFE3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »

Avoid Negative-Net-Worth Stocks Like the Plague: John Dorfman

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description: I rarely buy a stock whose debt is greater than stockholders’ equity, or corporate net worth per share. In effect, that means I won’t give a second look to about one third of U.S. stocks. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/15/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aReZz0vi1B5U Questions for discussion: In general, do you agree with this analysis and strategy… Read more »

Palm shares may hit $0: Analysts

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description:  Palm’s future already looked bleak. But after reporting worse than expected results for the third quarter Thursday, some analysts think the company’s stock is now essentially worthless. Source: CNNMoney.com   Date: 03/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/19/technology/palm_target_price_zero/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for Palm’s demise. Do believe there is any hope for the stock? How would… Read more »