Description: This article was adapted from “Reckless Endangerment: How Outsized Ambition, Greed and Corruption Led to Economic Armageddon,†by Gretchen Morgenson, a business reporter and columnist for The New York Times, and Joshua Rosner, a managing director at the independent research consultant Graham Fisher. The book is to be published on Tuesday by Times Books…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial Planning
Gap, Aeropostale unraveled
Description: While they might not portend the End Times, signs of Friday’s route of the low-end retailers could certainly be discerned months ago in the commodities markets. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 05/20/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gap-aeropostale-unraveled-2011-05-20 Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in the report about commodities and the performance of these companies. What do you think… Read more »
Microsoft’s Skype call
Description: Microsoft agrees to buy Skype for $8.5 billion to gain a bigger presence on the Internet, where Bing and MSN have been losing money. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 05/11/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/05/10/mkts_skype0510.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this is a good fit for both companies? How can Microsoft leverage the value of… Read more »
Cody Willard: Why Apple is going to $2,000
Description: Cody Willard makes his case for Apple at $2,000 and explains why it could be the first $2 trillion company in market cap. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 05/11/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/cody-willard-why-apple-is-going-to-2000/4C6F5D5C-B4BC-4737-871C-E5DA3D667949 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given by the analyst that support his belief in Apple stock rising to such extraordinary levels…. Read more »
Health Insurers Making Record Profits as Many Postpone Care
Description: The nation’s major health insurers are barreling into a third year of record profits, enriched in recent months by a lingering recessionary mind-set among Americans who are postponing or forgoing medical care. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 05/13/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/business/14health.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial relationships between health insurers, providers, and clients? What is the… Read more »
Housing crash is getting worse: report
Description: If you thought the housing crisis was bad, think again. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 05/09/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/housing-crash-is-getting-worse-2011-05-09?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in the report. What is your view about residential real estate prices and their influence on the economy? How would you approach this market, as an investor in builders?
Cisco Grows Smarter
Description: As Starbucks and now Cisco have discovered, the wrong kind of expansion reaps painful contractions Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/26/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/apr2011/ca20110421_393278.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in the report. What is your view about Cisco’s past and future prospects? What advice would you give management at this time?
Parties Seeking to Blame Each Other’s Policies for Gas Prices
Description:Â Congress returns next week to a flaring brawl over oil industry profits and tax breaks, with both parties hoping to capitalize on growing public ire at high gasoline prices. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/29/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/business/30gas.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for concern over rising gasoline prices? How do rising fuel costs affect businesses… Read more »
Silicon Valley Cashes Out Selling Private Shares
Description: SecondMarket and its ilk allow investors and employees—including Facebook’s—to convert pre-IPO shares into millions. But is it healthy for startups? Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/21/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_18/b4226070179043.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in the report. What is your view about this behavior? Should it be prohibited?
LivingSocial Is Next Bet for Steve Case After Zipcar IPO Payoff
Description: America Online co-founder Steve Case, recasting himself as a venture capitalist, pledged to invest $200 million in fast-growing companies in 2005. With his bet on Zipcar Inc., he’s now made that cash back. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/16/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-16/livingsocial-is-next-bet-for-steve-case-after-zipcar-ipo-payoff.html Questions for discussion: Would you have followed the investment route taken by Steve Case? Is… Read more »
