Description: PayPal’s break from EBay (EBAY) is all about buzzwords: eliminating dis-synergies, applying strategic focus, and seizing the moment. But what does that even mean? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/ex-paypal-execs-ideas-for-its-future-war-with-apple-become-bank#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What strategic direction is PayPal considering, according to the article? Do you agree with this line of thinking? Should… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial Planning
Alibaba Debut Makes a Splash
Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA +38.07% , China’s largest e-commerce company, on Friday became a publicly traded technology powerhouse, launching a blockbuster share offering in New York that drew attention world-wide. Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://www.wsj.com/video/ratings-pro-alibaba-looks-stronger-than-facebook/9A9B4058-603D-4DE0-AD85-1ACBE286EE76.html Questions for Discussions: What is motivating purchasers of the Alibaba IPO? How… Read more »
The Dumb Money Is Getting Smarter Every Day
Description: In the parlance of Wall Street, there’s the “smart money” and the “dumb money.” The dumb money falls for investing fads, sells into market panics and pays ridiculous fees. The smart money doesn’t. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 17, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-17/the-dumb-money-is-getting-smarter-every-day-.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the changes taking place in investing, according to the… Read more »
Blackstone’s $26 Billion Hilton Deal: The Best Leveraged Buyout Ever
Description: In the early spring of 2009, with the recession deepening, Christopher Nassetta stood alone in an empty house in Arlington, Va., surrounded by moving boxes and trying not to despair. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 12, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-11/blackstones-hilton-deal-best-leveraged-buyout-ever#r=nav-f-story Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial highlights in this story. Do you agree with assessment that… Read more »
The Coolest Kickstarter ever raises over $13 million
Description: It’s the most successful Kickstarter campaign ever. The Coolest Cooler (yes, a cooler) raised $13.3 million in its 52-day run. The previous record holder, the Pebble smartwatch raised $10.2 million in 2012. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 29, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/29/smallbusiness/coolest-cooler-kickstarter-campaign-ends/index.html?iid=Lead Questions for discussion: How is Kickstarter helping finance entrepreneurs? Do you… Read more »
Why Samsung Is Hoarding Its Cash
Description: Now that it’s selling Nooks to consumers, Samsung Electronics has a new way to compete with Apple and Amazon.com. The Korean company on Wednesday unveiled its new Samsung Galaxy Tab Nook, a 7-inch tablet that uses software for the Barnes & Noble electronic reader. Source: Businessweek.com Date: August 22, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-22/why-samsung-is-hoarding-its-cash#r=hp-ls Questions for… Read more »
Why Target will pull out all the stops to save face in Canada
Description: It only took 15 months after Target Corp. made a wildly hyped venture into Canada before someone sounded a death knell for the mass merchant. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 22, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/22/why-target-will-pull-out-all-the-stops-to-save-face-in-canada/ Questions for discussion: What is the financial damage to Target due to its poor performance? How would you deal with the… Read more »
Why stock market bubble talk is just hot air
Description: Fortune’s Stephen Gandel discusses why it’s not time to bail on the stock market just yet. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: June 06, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/video/2014/06/06/why-stock-market-bubble-talk-is-just-hot-air/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanations presented in this report. Do you agree with Stephen Gandel’s assessments and projections?
How Does Uber Make Money?
Description: With Uber’s cars now operating in 130 cities worldwide and the company looking to raise another round of financing that could value it at more $10 billion, Bloomberg’s Willem Marx asks The Big Question: How does Uber make its money? (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: May 30, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-does-uber-make-money-SLy8gcRXTHGAnII9oVC1ow.html Questions… Read more »
Who Needs Banks? PayPal and Lending Club Want to Make Small Business Loans
Description: Lots of companies have tried to use technology to improve small business lending with data, collecting information about merchants from their social media profiles, online accounting software, and reviews to help lenders decide whether to make loans. Alternative companies such as OnDeck and Kabbage have succeeded at increasing loan volumes and speeding approval times. But… Read more »
