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 »
Posts Categorized: Financial Planning
Why Some M&A Deals Are Best Done In-House
Description: When PPR, the French owner of Gucci, sold a stake in its African distributor CFAO in August, it didn’t use an investment bank to handle the transaction. Instead, the company turned to an in-house mergers-and-acquisitions team led by a former France Telecom (FTE) M&A executive. “When we can, we do it on our own,  Read more »
Stop calling it a ‘fiscal cliff’
Description: Commentary: Austerity would hurt but it wouldn’t be sudden Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 14, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/stop-calling-it-a-fiscal-cliff-2012-11-14?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the key changes that will take place if no changes are made to current law. Do you agree with the assessment presented by the commentator in this report? How do you think markets… Read more »
More Reasons Not to Fudge Business Expenses
Description: It’s easy for entrepreneurs hatching startups to fudge the line between personal and business expenses. Is that laptop really used for your company, or for your kids? Are you discussing business at lunch, or gossiping with a friend? Beyond the typical admonitions about tax audits, running personal expenses through your business can backfire with… Read more »
Google Ventures ups fund to $300m a year
Description: Google Ventures announced in a tweet yesterday it has increased its fund by 50 percent to $300 million a year and plans to invest $1.5 billion in startups through 2017. Source: Smartplanet.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/google-ventures-ups-fund-to-300m-a-year/5174?tag=header;header-sec Questions for Discussions: Explain the rationale for Google’s Venture fund? What primary benefit can Google receive… Read more »
It’s Global Warming, Stupid
Description: Yes, yes, it’s unsophisticated to blame any given storm on climate change. Men and women in white lab coats tell us—and they’re right—that many factors contribute to each severe weather episode. Climate deniers exploit scientific complexity to avoid any discussion at all. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Nov 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-01/its-global-warming-stupid#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What… Read more »
Investing a lump sum of money in stocks pays off
Description:Â A mutual fund giant challenges an investment technique financial advisers have used for decades, and many professionals are taken aback. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/putting-a-lump-sum-of-money-into-stocks-pays-off-2012-11-02?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the highlights of this study. How would you expect investors and advisors to react to the conclusions in the study?
Southwest CEO: Higher oil prices ahead
Description: Southwest Airlines’ Gary Kelly says the outlook for fuel prices in the fourth quarter is getting worse. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/10/18/n-southwest-gary-kelly.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the state of business affairs at Southwest. How is Gary Kelly planning to deal with rising fuel costs over the next few… Read more »
Ben Stein on How to Ruin Your Financial Life
Description: Actor, economist and author Ben Stein on The News Hub discusses steps you can take to really ruin your financial life. Photo: AP. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2012 Link: http://on.wsj.com/Tkfhe0 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the advice presented by Ben Stein. Do you agree with his analysis and recommendations for individuals?
Wealthy Advised to Sell for Gains Before Unfriendly 2013
Description: Sell. That’s the message from some financial advisers, who are telling wealthy clients that the remainder of 2012 amounts to a last-chance sale on federal tax rates. Taxes are set to rise in January in the U.S., pushing the top rate on dividends to 43.4 percent from 15 percent and the top rate on… Read more »
