Pimco Total Return ETF Suffers $10.9 Million of Outflows

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Description: Pacific Investment Management Co.’s main exchange-traded fund saw outflows of $10.9 million the day before the surprise departure of Bill Gross, who co-founded and served as chief investment officer of the world’s biggest manager of bond mutual funds. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 27, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-27/pimco-etf-suffers-10-9-million-of-outflow-on-gross-exit.html Questions for Discussions: How have investors reacted to… Read more »

Alibaba Debut Makes a Splash

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Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA +38.07% , China’s largest e-commerce company, on Friday became a publicly traded technology powerhouse, launching a blockbuster share offering in New York that drew attention world-wide. Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://www.wsj.com/video/ratings-pro-alibaba-looks-stronger-than-facebook/9A9B4058-603D-4DE0-AD85-1ACBE286EE76.html Questions for Discussions: What is motivating purchasers of the Alibaba IPO? How… Read more »

This is how a stock is born

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Description: As Alibaba goes public, the New York Stock Exchange could see the biggest business transaction in history. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 18, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/09/18/alibaba-how-a-stock-is-born.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How is a new stock introduced to the trading floor? Do you think this procedure enables a smoother transition to normal trading?

Alibaba IPO: It’s official—Wall Street wins, you will lose

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Description: Alibaba’s IPO pop was stupendous. Wall Street and its favorite clients get billions of dollars in found money. And those who let this happen should be thoroughly ashamed. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/19/alibaba-ipo-its-official-wall-street-wins-you-will-lose/ Questions for Discussions: What is the basis for the criticism in this report? Do you agree?

The Government Keeps Helping People Buy Failing Cold Stone Creamerys

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Description: Would you loan someone money to buy a Cold Stone Creamery franchise if you knew that more than a quarter of those loans default? If you’re the U.S. government, the answer is yes. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 16, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-16/franchises-the-government-keeps-helping-people-buy-failing-brands#r=nav-fst Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose the SBA loans continue to be… Read more »

‘Apple Pay’ may be safer than plastic

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Description: Security measures on mobile wallets may make them a safer option than plastic credit cards. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2014/09/11/apple-iphone-apple-pay-safer-than-plastic.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think Apple Pay will take away business from bank and credit card companies? How much risk does this new technology present to investors… Read more »

A deep look at poverty in Asia

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Description: Interview with Shang Jin Wei, Chief economist with Asia Development Bank. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Sep 11, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=438737 Questions for Discussions: Describe the level of poverty discussed in this report. How are governments and businesses dealing with the need to generate wealth? Do you think globally operating businesses are unethical… Read more »

What will Yahoo do with Alibaba cash?

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Description: With billions in cash coming once Yahoo sells some of its stake in Alibaba, can CEO Marissa Mayer impress investors? Yahoo needs to prove to Wall Street once and for all that its turnaround strategy can work. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 02, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/09/02/what-will-yahoo-do-with-alibaba-money.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What would you… Read more »

Was it really a record-breaking summer for stocks?

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Description: Bloomberg’s Mike Regan discusses the summer’s market movements with Matt Miller on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Aug 29, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/was-it-really-a-record-breaking-summer-for-stocks-Y0wgnB9_QzO2faMmLfjC6g.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentary and analysis presented in this report on the markets. Do you agree with this view? Where do you see things heading?

Bank of America in record payout

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Description: Bank of America to pay a $16.65 billion settlement to the federal government and six states for mortgage securities fraud that lead to the financial crisis. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 21, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/08/21/bank-of-america-settlement-17-billion-mortgage-securities-fraud-doj-holder.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Evaluate the settlement agreed to in this case. Do you think jail time for… Read more »