Description: Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman explains what the company needs to hire in the near and long-term. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/13/n_cat_ceo_adding_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the challenges facing the firm? How do these issues relate to your understanding of the state of the economy? What should companies, governments and… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Governments & Regulators
Investing after the Arab Spring: Unfinished business
Description:Â The ongoing revolutions across the Middle East would seem to be good news for markets. But so far they’ve scared most foreign investors away. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/13/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/13/investing-middle-east-north-africa/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions expressed in this report? What would your advice be to investors at this time?
The King of All Vegas Real Estate Scams
Description:Â A twisted tale of how homeowners were bilked by those they least suspected: their neighbors Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/08/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-king-of-all-vegas-real-estate-scams-12082011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of this story. Is there a way to prevent these events from occurring? How can home owners protect themselves? How will stories like this one impact real… Read more »
Can the Jobs-and-Income Crisis End Well?
Description:Â Some economists believe that today’s grinding unemployment and slow growth are masking the transition to a vibrant digital economy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/finance/can-the-jobsandincome-crisis-end-well-11252011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments about the current economic malaise. What is your view of the situation and how do you think things will develop over the next… Read more »
Pricing the future: How we value derivatives
Description:Â Our Weekly Read column features Fortune staffers’ and contributors’ takes on recently published books about the business world and beyond. We’ve invited the entire Fortune family — from our writers and editors to our photo editors and designers — to weigh in on books of their choosing based on their individual tastes or curiosities…. Read more »
It’s time to ban insider trading by Congress
Description:Â Congress is finally shamed into fixing a long-standing scandal. Source:Â Fortune.com Date: 11/18/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/18/insider-trading-congress/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Do you think the laws will be changed?
New gold bugs are young and restless
Description: The allure of gold is thousands of years old, but nowadays the precious metal has a youthful look. Gold’s spectacular, decade-long run, coupled with the sovereign-debt crisis in Europe, an uncertain outlook for the U.S. dollar, and worries of worldwide recession, has tapped a new vein of investors in their 20s and 30s. Source: … Read more »
Why housing deserves a home in your portfolio
Description: Investment moves for those who think now is a time to buy Source:Â Marketwatch.com Date: 11/04/2011 Link:Â Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-housing-deserves-a-home-in-your-portfolio-2011-11-04 Questions for discussion: Do you believe it is a good time for investors to buy stocks of companies connected to the construction industry? Do you think it is a good time for individuals to buy residential… Read more »
Could Shale Gas Reignite the U.S. Economy?
Description: Unlocking vast reserves of shale gas could solve the energy crisis, the jobs crisis, and the deficit. Now, about fracking’s safety … Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/03/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/could-shale-gas-reignite-the-us-economy-11032011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points in this report? What are the economic forces at play favoring development of shale gas? What are the forces… Read more »
Apple Doles Out $60M Stock Grants to Execs
Description: Apple Inc. (AAPL), seeking to retain its management team in the wake of former Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs’s death last month, gave $60 million restricted-stock grants to most of its senior vice presidents. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 11/04/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-04/apple-doles-out-stock-grants-to-several-of-its-top-executives.html Questions for discussion: Do you believe this is a wise financial planning decision at… Read more »
