For Small Theaters, the Digital Future Is Dark

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

Description:  Independent movie houses scramble to pay for expensive new gear Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/17/2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/for-small-theaters-the-digital-future-is-dark-02162012.html Questions for discussion: Explain the problems and solutions being presented for these small businesses. Do you think they will be successful? Are there alternative financial strategies?

How the U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  When Barack Obama joined Silicon Valley’s top luminaries for dinner in California last February, each guest was asked to come with a question for the president. But as Steven P. Jobs of Apple spoke,President Obama interrupted with an inquiry of his own: what would it take to make iPhones in the United States? Source: … Read more »

One small company reinvents a $30 billion market

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Description:   Sometimes one bright idea — and a whole lot of work to implement it — can reshape an entire industry. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/09/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/09/smallbusiness/eagleview/index.htm?iid=SF_BN_River Questions for discussion: How has this technological innovation changed costing and budgeting in the industry?

Amazon Stocked on Toys Rivals Don’t Have

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Description:  The number of out-of-stock toys is increasing at the websites of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Target Corp. (TGT) and Sears Holdings Corp.’s (SHLD) Kmart chain while Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) remains almost fully stocked, according to a Bloomberg Industries analysis. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 12/09/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-09/amazon-stocked-on-toys-that-wal-mart-target-don-t-have.html Questions for discussion: Why is out-of-stock so critical for… Read more »

UPDATE 3-Zynga IPO values company as high as $9.04 billion

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Description:  Zynga Inc, which plans to go public in two weeks, on Friday slashed its value by more than 30 percent to $9 billion, hoping to avoid the fate of other recent Internet IPOs that have disappointed after stock market debuts. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 12/03/2011 Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/02/zynga-idUSN1E7B107X20111202 Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented… Read more »

Can the Jobs-and-Income Crisis End Well?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description:  Some economists believe that today’s grinding unemployment and slow growth are masking the transition to a vibrant digital economy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/finance/can-the-jobsandincome-crisis-end-well-11252011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments about the current economic malaise. What is your view of the situation and how do you think things will develop over the next… Read more »

Apple Doles Out $60M Stock Grants to Execs

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Description:  Apple Inc. (AAPL), seeking to retain its management team in the wake of former Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs’s death last month, gave $60 million restricted-stock grants to most of its senior vice presidents. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 11/04/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-04/apple-doles-out-stock-grants-to-several-of-its-top-executives.html Questions for discussion: Do you believe this is a wise financial planning decision at… Read more »

Can stocks pay your mortgage?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  Should you take out a new mortgage — or home equity line of credit — and spend the money buying stocks? Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 09/14/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-stocks-pay-your-mortgage-2011-09-14?pagenumber=1 Questions for discussion: Summarize the logic of the investing strategy presented in this report. What are the risks and advantages for an individual? Would you advise this… Read more »

Kodak’s Revival Effort Came Five Years Too Late, Perez Says

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Description:  When Jim Lucanish was shopping for new inkjet presses for his Los Angeles printing company, he considered buying from Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) After all, Kodak sells widely admired digital imaging technology. On the other hand, Lucanish knew the company’s six-year-old turnaround effort was faltering, and that gave him pause. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 09/02/2011… Read more »

The Forbes family’s big deal causes big trouble

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Description: After default, emergency restructuring was needed to satisfy lenders. Source:  Fortune.com Date: 07/28/2011 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/28/the-forbes-familys-big-deal-causes-big-trouble/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial condition of the firm. How would you advise management to deal with the current situation?