Description: The Federal Reserve will end its bond-purchase program in June but will put off raising interest rates until next year, says Jeff Given, a bond fund manager at John Hancock. He sees rates on the 10-year climbing to a range of 4 to 4.5% vs. 3.5% today. Interview by MarketWatch’s Deborah Levine. Source: Moneywatch.com… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial Planning
The Megabus Effect
Description:Â After decades of decline, the bus is the U.S.’s fastest-growing way to travel, led by curbside service from Megabus, BoltBus, and others. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_16/b4224062391848.htm Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the current business models for transportation? What are the competitive advantages for this firm? Why… Read more »
Setback in Rosneft Deal Suggests BP Misread Russia
Description: For major oil companies these days, geopolitical acumen is as essential as deepwater engineering. Just ask the British oil giant BP. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/08/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/bp-rosneft-deal-faces-another-setback/?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about international deals and risks? How can businesses mitigate their risks?
S&P 500 Posts Longest Winning Streak Since February on Economy
Description: U.S. stocks rose, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its first back-to-back weekly gain since February, as reports showing faster-than-forecast growth in jobs and consumer spending bolstered economic optimism. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/02/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-02/s-p-500-posts-longest-winning-streak-since-february-on-economy.html Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the economy and investors’ attitudes? How important… Read more »
Eyeing Inflation with Liz Ann Sonders
Description: Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab & Co., gives her view on inflation in the U.S. now and inflationary signs to look for in the year ahead. Dow Jones’ Veronica Dagher has the interview. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 02/23/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/eyeing-inflation-with-liz-ann-sonders/5658E1E7-2BD4-498B-A73C-A7CC24C49E96 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the… Read more »
Corporate tax reform: Talk grows louder
Description:Â There’s the sweet deal for companies that make Puerto Rican rum. Or the tax break intended to promote U.S. manufacturing but that’s so broad it can include the making of hamburgers. The list goes on. Welcome to the American corporate tax code, which is front and center for a possible overhaul. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date:… Read more »
Time for a Debt Haircut
Description: Ireland is struggling to cover its bank debt and U.S. homeowners are wheezing, too. Peter Coy says the next step should be debt writedowns. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 09/30/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_41/b4198005675038.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the economic and financial analysis presented in the article? Do you agree with the notion that debt will have… Read more »
Reliance Communications Said to Cut $3 Billion Debt Selling Towers to GTL
Description: Billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications Ltd. will cut its debt by at least $3 billion by selling its mobile-phone transmission towers, people familiar with the deal said. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 06/27/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-27/gtl-to-buy-reliance-communications-towers-to-expand-mobile-phone-network.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the transaction described in the report? What were the benefits derived for each side? How will… Read more »
BP Halts Dividend, Earmarks $20 Billion
Description: BP said it was suspending dividend payments for much of this year and created a $20 billion fund to pay injured parties. Alan Murray and Joe White discuss. Also, Steven Gillon, a presidential historian discusses Barack Obama’s leadership style in the context of other presidents who have faced serious crises. Source: Marketwatch.com – video… Read more »
Why the worst isn’t over yet
Description: Economists, as you have likely heard, are enjoying a bit of a renaissance these days. With a startling new piece of economic news emerging on a near daily basis — Greece is going under! No, it’s Spain! China is in the midst of a housing bubble! China is our savior! — there’s been a… Read more »
