Description: Fitbit Inc., the maker of wearable health-tracking devices, fell to its lowest price since its initial public offering after introducing a new smartwatch — similar in design to Apple Inc.’s product — while companies such as Fossil Group and Under Armour Inc. debuted fitness devices at the International Consumer Electronics Show. Source: Bloomberg.com Date:… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial Planning
Lululemon Athletica Inc shares rise as analyst predicts rebound in profit margins
Description: Lululemon Athletica Inc. shares gained as much as 7 per cent after Wells Fargo & Co. upgraded the stock, predicting that improvements the company has made to its supply chain should lower costs, reduce discounts and boost profit margins. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Jan 05, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/market-moves/lululemon-athletica-inc-shares-rise-as-analyst-predicts-rebound-in-profit-margins?__lsa=8e6e-c44b Questions for Discussions: Explain the dramatic change… Read more »
Star Wars Video Games Generate Over $1 Billion in Sales
Description: Disney and Electronic Arts benefit from the success of J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens film through console and mobile game sales. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Dec 28, 2015 Link: http://fortune.com/2015/12/30/star-wars-video-game-sales/ Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about revenue generation in this industry? Do you think any of the… Read more »
Online Surge Means Many Not-So-Happy Returns for Retailers
Description: A surge in online sales this holiday season is boosting expenses for some retailers as more shoppers return merchandise purchased with the click of a mouse. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Dec 28, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-29/online-surge-leads-to-many-not-so-happy-returns-for-retailers Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial issues related to online sales. How can merchants mitigate the financial costs?
Investors Celebrate, Skeptics Doubt DuPont-Dow Merger
Description: Shares of both companies jumped about 12% after the news. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Dec 08, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1NkrIha Questions for discussion: What does this merger suggest about the industry? Do you think it will be allowed to proceed?
What’s Zuckerberg Worth Without 99% of His Fortune?
Description: Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to donate 99 percent of his Facebook stock is setting new philanthropy standards. He’s starting young, and he’s structuring his Chan Zuckerberg Initiative as a limited liability corporation — meaning it can do more than just give to charity. Bloomberg’s Caleb Melby breaks down the estimated $45 billion gift. (Source: Bloomberg)… Read more »
At $68 Billion Valuation, Uber Will Be Bigger Than GM, Ford, And Honda
Description: It only took Uber five and a half years to surpass the valuation of 107-year-old General Motors. Source: Forbes.com Date: Dec 04, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2015/12/04/at-68-billion-valuation-uber-will-be-bigger-than-gm-ford-and-honda/ Questions for discussion: Explain the rapid rise in valuation of Uber. Which factors would you use to establish value? Do you think the stock is overvalued?
Black Friday: Deep Dive Into Consumer Retail Trends
Description: Matthew Shay, president and chief executive officer at National Retail Federation, and Bloomberg Gadfly columnist Shelly Banjo discuss consumer trends of this holiday shopping season and the negative impact of weather on recent retail sales. They speak on “Bloomberg ‹GO›.” (Banjo is a Bloomberg Gadfly columnist. The opinions expressed are her own.) (Source: Bloomberg)… Read more »
This Brick-and-Mortar Retailer is Bringing the Story Back to Stores
Description: Story’s founder Rachel Shechtman explains why it’s not online. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 20, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1Nhg4sI Questions for discussion: What are the differences, from a financial operations point of view, of operating a Storys retailing site versus a conventional retailer?
Why Aren’t Women-Owned Business Growing?
Description: The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. has increased by nearly 30% over the past six years, but why they aren’t growing financially? SBE Council’s Susan Solovic offers some answers on Lunch Break With Tanya Rivero. Photo: Getty Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Oct 22, 2015 Link: http://on.wsj.com/1OKUc8L Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »
