Description: Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) reported stronger-than-expected earnings on Thursday and raised its full-year forecast, but warned that a number of factors could weigh on its performance next year, and its shares fell as much as 2.8 percent. Source: Reuters.com  Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69K27Y20101021 Questions for discussion: What is the significance of the financial results… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Governments & Regulators
Google 2.4% Rate Shows How $60 Billion Lost to Tax Loopholes
Description: Google Inc. cut its taxes by $3.1 billion in the last three years using a technique that moves most of its foreign profits through Ireland and the Netherlands to Bermuda. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-21/google-2-4-rate-shows-how-60-billion-u-s-revenue-lost-to-tax-loopholes.html Questions for discussion: Are Google’s actions unethical or illegal? What does this report have to say about the… Read more »
China prompts rare earth consumers to look elsewhere
Description: Japan and South Korea moved on Friday to reduce their dependence on China’s rare earth metals amid fears export reductions by Beijing could be the trigger for a broader trade conflict as nations joust over currencies. Source:Â Reuters.com Date: 10/22/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69L27D20101022 Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance for investors… Read more »
News Hub: Markets Focus on Bernanke Speech
Description: Paul Vigna discusses how Bernanke’s speech at the Boston Fed will likely play out in the markets, along with fresh data on inflation and retail sales. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/15/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-markets-focus-on-bernanke-speech/A2ACEBAE-022C-4E50-A009-00B48B736CFB Questions for discussion: Summarize the main comments made about the Ben Bernanke’s speech. What is “asset inflation†and why… Read more »
Cutting Back: Ireland Deals With Property Bust
Description: As Ireland copes with the aftermath of a large property bust, it faces a new wave of emigration but also innovation, as a group of architects band together to create a micro economy. WSJ’s Andy Jordan reports from Dublin. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 10/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/cutting-back-ireland-deals-with-property-bust/01A39122-5330-4101-8DA1-739C2E5EF877 Questions for discussion: Summarize the… Read more »
Facebook employees must pay big to cash out
Description:Â Although Facebook isn’t yet public, employees and other insiders have been able to cash out some of their equity through private stock-sale deals. But the company is trying to dump cold water on that rapidly heating up market: Facebook recently began charging employees a $2,500 fee if they sell their private stock. Source:Â CNNMoney.com… Read more »
Coal India Plans Nation’s Largest IPO as Asia Offerings Surge
Description: Coal India Ltd. will sell as much as 151.54 billion rupees ($3.4 billion) of shares in the nation’s biggest initial public offering, helping the government raise funds to build roads and power plants as IPOs in Asia surge. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/13/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-12/coal-india-to-sell-stock-at-225-rupees-to-245-rupees-in-initial-share-sale.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance… Read more »
Rum Battle in Caribbean Leaves Tax Hangover
Description: Rum and politics have made a fiery mix since America’s earliest days, when a young politician named George Washington won election to the House of Burgesses in colonial Virginia with the help of spiked punch at the polls. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 10/15/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/business/16rum.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to… Read more »
I.M.F. Doesn’t Press China on Currency
Description: The world’s financial leaders failed on Saturday to reach agreement on how to contain an escalating currency dispute that has threatened to undermine global cooperation on economic recovery. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 10/09/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/business/global/10imf.html?_r=1&ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the situation and the concerns over currencies. What role should be played by the IMF… Read more »
China Will Buy Greek Bonds, Support Shipping Industry, Wen Says in Athens
Description: “From the outbreak of the sovereign debt crisis in certain European countries at the start of this year I have repeatedly voiced China’s support of measures adopted by the European Union and International Monetary Fund,†said Wen, who began a tour of European capitals in Greece yesterday. “China supports a steady euro and it… Read more »
