Description: Stifel Nicolaus Portfolio Manger Chad Morganlander and JPMorgan Chief U.S. Economist Michael Feroli discuss markets, the economy and Fed rate policy. They speak on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg .com – video report Date: August 21, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/is-it-smooth-sailing-for-wall-street-s-bulls-KQPMTzQeQLCO7VQfYY0VHw.html Questions for discussion: What do the people interviewed in this report say that favors… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Governments & Regulators
Blackstone CEO: Regulation making markets safer
Description: Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman says regulations have eliminated risk: ‘We probably have a safer world, but a world that will grow slower.’ Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 06, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/08/06/stephen-schwarzman-blackstone-financial-regulations-safer-markets.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What does Stephen Schwarzman have to say about the current environment with respect to risk and growth? Do… Read more »
Two cheers for ‘too big to fail’
Description: Had the government not rescued the big banks during the 2008 financial crisis, the public’s expense would surely have been far greater. Source: Fortune.com Date: August 07, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/08/07/two-cheers-for-too-big-to-fail/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the arguments put forward in this article. Do you agree?
Tim Geithner responds to critics
Description: Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner says the banking industry is like ‘the power grid’ and that the economic recovery from the financial crisis is ‘moderate.’ Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 15, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/05/15/n-tim-geithner-financial-crisis-economic-recovery-criticism.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the explanations provided by Tim Geithner for the way he handled… Read more »
Companies Choose Profits Over Productivity
Description: When the U.S. economy emerged from the recession in June 2009, productivity was rising at a fast clip. Companies had spent the downturn cutting jobs and were lean and efficient. Productivity—output per hour worked—jumped 5.5 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier as workers did more with less. But as the recovery has chugged… Read more »
Why Only One Top Banker Went to Jail for the Financial Crisis
Description: This article is a collaboration between The Times and ProPublica, the independent nonprofit investigative organization. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Apr 30, 2014 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/magazine/only-one-top-banker-jail-financial-crisis.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the key commentary about the financial crisis. Do you think the authorities have done their jobs or that more needs to be done about those responsible?
Sen. Warren: Onus on you, Mr. Regulator
Description: Sen. Elizabeth Warren explains why financial regulators — including ones in her own party — need to get tougher with the U.S. banking system and says she has ‘a lot of tools in the toolbox’ to passing legislation. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Apr 24, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/04/25/elizabeth-warren-bank-regulators-finance-reform-congress-consumer-protection-financial-bureau.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you… Read more »
Are new rules making banks safer?
Description: Years after the financial crisis, regulators announced that the big banks will have to hold more capital to protect against losses. Will it make the financial system safer? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: April 11, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/04/11/investing-new-capital-rules-big-banks-safer.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What has changed at the banks? Do you think these changes will… Read more »
Is the U.S. stock market rigged?
Description: Steve Kroft reports on a new book from Michael Lewis that reveals how some high-speed traders work the stock market to their advantage Source: CBSNews.com – video report Date: Mar 30, 2014 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/is-the-us-stock-market-rigged Questions for Discussions: Explain how high-speed traders were able to exploit the trading environments. How was the problem solved? How… Read more »
El-Erian: Cautious optimism about Greece’s return to capital markets
Description: Renewed access to financing must not divert the debt-troubled nation from implementing critical economic reforms. Source: Fortune.com Date: Apr 03, 2014 Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/04/03/el-erian-caution-optimism-about-greeces-return-to-capital-markets/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize El-Erian’s assessment of investing in Greek debt and how the Greek government is managing that debt. How would you categorize the risk associated with Greek debt today?
