Description: The recent surge in oil prices is just a “head-fake,” and oil as cheap as $20 a barrel may soon be on the way, Citigroup said in a report on Monday as it lowered its forecast for crude. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Feb 09, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-09/citi-oil-could-plunge-to-20-and-this-might-be-the-end-of-opec- Questions for Discussions: Summarize the arguments for oil… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Governments & Regulators
Obama’s plan to reach Apple’s $158 billion offshore fortune
Description: The President’s new budget wants to see some of Apple’s overseas money injected into the Highway Trust Fund. So does Congress. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 02, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1HMU7yD Questions for discussion: How would stocks like Apple be affected if the firm’s foreign earnings were subject to the new tax proposed… Read more »
Staples Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy Office Depot
Description: Staples is in advanced talks to buy Office Depot, potentially uniting two of the biggest names in world of pens, paper clips and yes, staples, people briefed on the matter said on Tuesday. If completed, such a deal would consummate a transaction that was first attempted 18 years ago. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03,… Read more »
How 2014’s Huge Market Moves Are Affecting the Economy in 2015
Description: Global financial markets made a series of epic moves in the second half of 2014: toward a sharply lower price of oil, much lower interest rates, and a far stronger dollar. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 28, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/upshot/how-2014s-huge-market-moves-are-affecting-the-economy-in-2015.html?ref=economy&abt=0002&abg=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights presented in this report. Do you agree with the… Read more »
Markets tumble as Greek government begins to backtrack on austerity
Description: Greek borrowing costs jump and markets tumble as Alexis Tsipras, Greece’s new prime minister, vows never to blindly submit to European creditors and government blocks sale of state assets Source: Telegraph.co.uk Date: Jan 28, 2015 Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11374258/Markets-tumble-as-Greek-government-begins-to-backtrack-on-austerity.html Questions for Discussions: Why did the Greek stock market drop off so dramatically? What are the concerns… Read more »
Currency trading isn’t for amateurs
Description: There should be a sign hanging outside the foreign-exchange market that reads: Amateurs need not apply. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/investing/fxcm-swiss-currency-trading/index.html?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: Why is currency trading so risky, according to the report? Why does it attract traders?
Francs, Fear and Folly
Description: Ah, Switzerland, famed for cuckoo clocks and sound money. Other nations may experiment with radical economic policies, but with the Swiss you don’t get surprises. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 15, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/paul-krugman-francs-fear-and-folly.html?mabReward=R5&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East®ion=Footer&module=Recommendation&src=recg&pgtype=article Questions for Discussions: Summarize the actions taken by the Swiss to manage the franc. What is the concern for the US… Read more »
Individual investors lose more than $400 million on bad Swiss currency bets
Description: In the wake of the 2008 market crash, a growing number of individual investors jumped into currency trading under the impression that it was a safer bet than stocks. On Thursday, investors learned just how wrong they were. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 16, 2015 Link: http://fortune.com/2015/01/16/swiss-franc-400-million-losses/ Questions for discussion: What are the lessons investors… Read more »
Will the new gold rush last?
Description: Gold is glittering in 2015. But it may be a temporary spike due to Greece and Europe fears and not a sign of another bull run for the yellow metal. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 07, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/07/gold-prices-rise-as-stocks-and-oil-prices-fall.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the reasons for gold’s rise as presented in… Read more »
Will 2015 Be Any Better? Ten Numbers to Watch
Description: Enough with the debate over whether 2014 was a bad year (Islamic State, Ebola, Crimea) or a good year (homicide rates are falling). Time to take a look at the shiny new coin in the palms of our hands: 2015. How will it measure up? Here are 10 numbers to watch: Source: Businessweek.com Date:… Read more »
